English III—November 3, 2015 Daily Warm-up: Ethics is the study of moral standards and how they affect the conduct of individuals. Explain what guidelines for reporters you might find in a Journalism Code of Ethics. Homework: – Study for Lesson 13 Vocabulary Quiz – Reading Plus due Sunday at 11:59.

Ethics in Journalism Critics of the media say journalism has become an “ethically corrupt” field in recent years and is becoming sensationalist, biased and intrusive regarding private lives of individuals. Much of what journalists write is not regulated by law. Instead, most journalists regulate themselves under a set of guidelines. A code of ethics guides reporters in what they should do, not what they must do. Examples are set by the American Society of News Editors, Society of Professional Journalists (formerly Sigma Delta Chi) and Associated Press Media Editors. These organizations discuss accuracy and objectivity, professional integrity and conflict of interest. In recent years, reporters at well-known newspapers have concocted stories, characters and quotations, prompting newspapers to re-evaluate and tighten their standards of ethics. The Poynter Institute states, “Excellent journalism cannot exist without solid ethical decision-making.” Professional journalists face daily challenges in doing their job while remaining moral individuals and responsible citizens.

Directions: Pretend you are a newspaper editor. Use these six steps to decide what to do about one of the situations presented below: – 1. Define the ethical problem. – 2. Decide what facts you need to make an ethical decision. – 3. Identify who is involved, what the relationship of you and your newspaper is to that person (or people) and what obligation that involves. This includes everyone affected by the decision to investigate, write, and publish the story. – 4. Develop and evaluate other actions you might take, other than to write a story. – 5. Think about the ethical questions raised and their likely consequences. Do these questions and consequences support or undermine any alternatives you devised? – 6. Make your decision. Choose one of the following scenarios. With a partner, decide as a newspaper editor whether or not to cover the story. Remember to use the six steps above. Be ready to share your decision and steps you took to reach it. – A. A teacher is arrested for shoplifting a bottle of perfume. A student is arrested for shoplifting an expensive sweater. Will you cover these events? How. – B. The principal’s son has been caught cheating on a standardized test and is probably not the only student who did so. Will you cover the event? How? Ethical Problem Facts in StoryWho is involved? Alternative Action ConsequencesDecision