1. How to Write a Media Ethics Case Analysis

2. Steps Read case at normal speed.
Read again carefully and make notes in the margin about the values, principles, and loyalties that you think best apply.
Identify the four elements in Potter’s Box.
Situation/Facts
Values
Principles
Loyalties

3. Potter Box 1 4
Facts
Loyalties 3 2
Values
Principles

4. Structure Your Analysis in the Following Five Sections:
Situation/Facts - Brief
Values – A little longer, and why you chose the values you did.
Principles – Longer, and why you chose the principles you did.
Loyalties – Longer, and why you chose the loyalties you did.
Judgment – Longest section, and justify why you made the final judgment you made.

5. Values – State which values your are using, such as:
Journalistic
Legal
Patriotic
Religious
Freedom-based (privacy, freedom of choice, freedom of expression, artistic freedom, e.g.)
Truthtelling

6. Journalistic Values
Hutchins Commission on Freedom of the Press (Five Values)
A truthful, comprehensive, and intelligent account of the day’s events in a context which gives them meaning.
A forum for the exchange of comment and criticism.
The projection of a representative picture of the constituent groups in society.
The presentation and clarification of the goals and values of the society.
Full access to the day’s intelligence.

7. Journalistic Values SPJ Code of Ethics Seek truth and report it.
Minimize harm.
Act independently.
Be accountable.

8. Journalistic Values RTNDA Code of Ethics
Public Trust: Professional electronic journalists should recognize that their first obligation is to the public.
Truth
Fairness
Integrity
Independence
Accountability

9. Principles Aristotle’s Mean BASIC CONCEPT: Negotiated compromise
Kant’s Categorical Imperative
BASIC CONCEPT: What is right for one is right for all for all time.
Mill’s Principle of Utility (Utilitarianism)
BASIC CONCEPT: The greatest good for the greatest number of people
Rawl’s Veil of Ignorance (Egalitarianism)
BASIC CONCEPT: Fairness
Judeo-Christian Persons as Ends
BASIC CONCEPT: Compassion and inclusiveness

10. Loyalties Duty to our conscience
Duty to clients/subscribers/readers/supporters
Duty to our organization or firm
Duty to professional colleagues
Duty to society
Duty to information or to story (entertainment)
Duty to art or to commerce

11. Judgment
What is your final decision? The longest, most important part of your analysis.
There are no “right” decisions. You will be judged on the logic and your support of your decision.
References to required reading are critical in all sections, but especially in this Judgment section.
See “How to Write a Media Ethics Case Analysis” for proper format for references.
You don’t have to restrict references to required or recommended reading.
Proper English, please, throughout the paper.