Theories of Communication Week 2 MMC110 Instructed by Hillarie Zimmermann MMC110 Instructed by Hillarie Zimmermann

Today’s Class Chapter 14 – Review Activity – What would you do? Activity – Personal code of ethics Assignment 1 (due Sept. 23) - review marking rubric Presentation sign-up Review blog comments from week 1 Review homework Chapter 14 – Review Activity – What would you do? Activity – Personal code of ethics Assignment 1 (due Sept. 23) - review marking rubric Presentation sign-up Review blog comments from week 1 Review homework

Chapter 14 - Review Canadian media laws Limits to “freedom of the press” CRTC and the Broadcasting Act Relationship between copyright and the internet Media ethics Canadian media laws Limits to “freedom of the press” CRTC and the Broadcasting Act Relationship between copyright and the internet Media ethics

Ethics and Law Ethics and law are separate spheres but they overlap in theory and practice. In theory, ethics justifies laws and legal practices. Situations in mass communications raise both legal and ethical questions. In many newsrooms, whether an action is legal is considered to be the first hurdle that any action must clear, before ethical issues are raised. Also, ethical standards such as fairness and accuracy are used in court cases to evaluate stories for libel and other legal problems.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Canada (protected by the Charter) Fundamental right of a democratic society “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication” The aim of the Charter is to prevent unjustified restrictions of expression (it is not an absolute) This freedom however is not guaranteed – there are some restrictions Publication bans – weigh the individual’s right to a fair trail against the media’s freedom of speech Defamation law Young offenders act Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Canada (protected by the Charter) Fundamental right of a democratic society “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication” The aim of the Charter is to prevent unjustified restrictions of expression (it is not an absolute) This freedom however is not guaranteed – there are some restrictions Publication bans – weigh the individual’s right to a fair trail against the media’s freedom of speech Defamation law Young offenders act

The Importance of Free Expression Democracy – freedom of expression is necessary for a parliamentary democracy to function properly. Truth – open discourse and the free availability of information enhance the quest for truth and the advancement of knowledge Individual autonomy – allows people to communicate their feelings and desires, to be artistic, and to explore their individuality. Democracy – freedom of expression is necessary for a parliamentary democracy to function properly. Truth – open discourse and the free availability of information enhance the quest for truth and the advancement of knowledge Individual autonomy – allows people to communicate their feelings and desires, to be artistic, and to explore their individuality.

Defamation Defamation (libel or slander) – a statement that harms someone’s reputation “Libel chill” Defamation and the Internet Defences for Defamation Consented True Privilege (public record) Fair comment Responsible communication Defamation (libel or slander) – a statement that harms someone’s reputation “Libel chill” Defamation and the Internet Defences for Defamation Consented True Privilege (public record) Fair comment Responsible communication

The CRTC and Broadcast Regulation CRTC – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Canadian broadcast regulator – governed by the Act – regulates TV, radio, major telephone companies (does not regulate newspapers or magazines) Mandate: broadcasting and telecommunications systems serve the Canadian public. Ensures that Canadians are seen and heard on Canadian media CRTC keeps new media exempt from broadcasting regulation CRTC – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Canadian broadcast regulator – governed by the Act – regulates TV, radio, major telephone companies (does not regulate newspapers or magazines) Mandate: broadcasting and telecommunications systems serve the Canadian public. Ensures that Canadians are seen and heard on Canadian media CRTC keeps new media exempt from broadcasting regulation

Copyright Protect someone’s creative work (includes books, music, movies, newspapers, maps, etc.) from theft Public domain – anyone may use it without permission Copyright and the web – digital technology is testing older copyright laws but the law of copyright also applies to the web Protect someone’s creative work (includes books, music, movies, newspapers, maps, etc.) from theft Public domain – anyone may use it without permission Copyright and the web – digital technology is testing older copyright laws but the law of copyright also applies to the web

The Internet and Copyright The Internet has been characterized as the largest threat to copyright since its inception. The Internet is awash in information, a lot of it with varying degrees of copyright protection. Copyrighted works on the Net include news stories, software, novels, screenplays, graphics, pictures, and even . In fact, the frightening reality is that almost everything on the Net is protected by copyright law. That can pose problems for the hapless surfer." ("The Copyright Web site" Copyright Web site The Internet has been characterized as the largest threat to copyright since its inception. The Internet is awash in information, a lot of it with varying degrees of copyright protection. Copyrighted works on the Net include news stories, software, novels, screenplays, graphics, pictures, and even . In fact, the frightening reality is that almost everything on the Net is protected by copyright law. That can pose problems for the hapless surfer." ("The Copyright Web site" Copyright Web site

Media Ethics Code of ethics – prescribe how practitioners should go about their work – most media organizations in Canada have one Conflict in duties Duty to self Duty to audience Duty to employer Duty to the profession Duty to society Code of ethics – prescribe how practitioners should go about their work – most media organizations in Canada have one Conflict in duties Duty to self Duty to audience Duty to employer Duty to the profession Duty to society

Activity – Code of Ethics On your own, search the internet for one of the following mass media organization’s Code of Ethics: 1.RTNDA (Radio-Television News Director’s Association) – “the world's largest professional organization exclusively serving the electronic news profession, consisting of more than 3,000 news directors, news associates, educators and students” – rtdna.org 2.CAB (Canadian Association of Broadcasters) – “the national voice of Canada’s private broadcasters, representing the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private radio and television stations, networks, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services” - cab-acr.ca On your own, search the internet for one of the following mass media organization’s Code of Ethics: 1.RTNDA (Radio-Television News Director’s Association) – “the world's largest professional organization exclusively serving the electronic news profession, consisting of more than 3,000 news directors, news associates, educators and students” – rtdna.org 2.CAB (Canadian Association of Broadcasters) – “the national voice of Canada’s private broadcasters, representing the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private radio and television stations, networks, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services” - cab-acr.ca

Activity – Code of Ethics In pairs, take 10 minutes to skim through one of the Code of Ethics to determine what is in the document. 1.Look for the definitions of key terms like plagiarism, misrepresentation, and conflict of interest. 2.Is it clear what broadcasters/journalists should do in all cases? 3.What might be open to interpretation? In pairs, take 10 minutes to skim through one of the Code of Ethics to determine what is in the document. 1.Look for the definitions of key terms like plagiarism, misrepresentation, and conflict of interest. 2.Is it clear what broadcasters/journalists should do in all cases? 3.What might be open to interpretation?

Moral Principles The Golden Mean – avoid extremes and seek moderation “Do unto others” Categorical imperatives – commitment to consistency, clarity and principled evaluation of arguments Utilitarian Ethics – happiness for the greatest number Pragmatic ethics – based on consequences Egalitarian ethics – all people should be given equal consideration The Golden Mean – avoid extremes and seek moderation “Do unto others” Categorical imperatives – commitment to consistency, clarity and principled evaluation of arguments Utilitarian Ethics – happiness for the greatest number Pragmatic ethics – based on consequences Egalitarian ethics – all people should be given equal consideration

Potter’s Box This model can help sort through ethics problems. SituationValues PrinciplesLoyalties What do think are some limitations of this model?

Activity – What would you do? Divide the class into six groups. Hand out media libel scenarios and have students discuss them in their groups. Take notes on what you would/wouldn’t do in each situation. Use Potter’s Box to guide your discussion. Appoint one person from each group to present back to the group as a whole. Conclude with a group discussion on ethics. Divide the class into six groups. Hand out media libel scenarios and have students discuss them in their groups. Take notes on what you would/wouldn’t do in each situation. Use Potter’s Box to guide your discussion. Appoint one person from each group to present back to the group as a whole. Conclude with a group discussion on ethics.

Activity – Personal Code of Ethics Considering some of the different ethical philosophies presented in your text, try to identify your own personal ethical style. Write a short, basic personal code of ethics for yourself. If there is time, share with the class. Considering some of the different ethical philosophies presented in your text, try to identify your own personal ethical style. Write a short, basic personal code of ethics for yourself. If there is time, share with the class.

Assignment 1 - Review

Student-Led Seminar

Activity – Review Blog comments Should our media play a large role in developing/maintaining our Canadian identity?

Homework Pre-read Chapter 4 for next class Reflection paper is due at the beginning of next class Comment on blog - week 2 Pre-read Chapter 4 for next class Reflection paper is due at the beginning of next class Comment on blog - week 2