12th Edition
Media Ethics Cases and Moral Reasoning
Through original case studies and analyses of real-life media experiences, Media Ethics challenges readers to think analytically and critically about ethical situations in mediated communication.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical principles of ethical philosophies, facilitating awareness and critical reflection of ethical issues. In each chapter, the authors examine case studies spanning several continents and geopolitical and cultural contexts. To provide a framework for analyzing the cases and exploring the steps in moral reasoning, the book introduces the Potter Box, a powerful tool for moral analysis. Focusing on a wide range of ethical issues faced by media practitioners and news organizations, the cases in this new twelfth edition include the most prominent concerns in journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and entertainment today. It explores new topics such as the use of ChatGPT in newsrooms, the privacy implications of biometric technologies, the role of public relations in political campaigns, and advertisers’ approach to sustainability and climate change.
This core textbook is ideal for classes in media and communication ethics, journalism, public relations, advertising, entertainment media, and popular culture.
Online instructor and student resources, including video introductions to each chapter, PowerPoint slides, sample discussion and exam questions, and links to further resources, are available at www.routledgelearning.com/mediaethics.
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction: Ethical Foundations and Perspectives
Moral Reasoning
Moral Theories
Part 1: News
1. Institutional Pressures
1. HuffPost News and Opinion Website
2. Crises in the Journalism Profession
3. Bankruptcy at the Philadelphia Inquirer
4. Paid Journalism Worldwide
5. Journalism in the age of ChatGPT
2. Truthtelling
6. Science Journalism During the Covid-19 Pandemic
7. Al Jazeera English
8. The Post-Truth Presidency
9. Muhammad Cartoon Controversy
10. International #MeToo Movement
3. Reporters and Sources
11. Data Mining and Algorithms
12. Stolen Voice Mail
13. Reporters Without Borders/Reporters Sans Frontières
14. She Said: Sources in New York Times Investigation of Harvey Weinstein Story
15. Crisis in Darfur
4. Social Justice
16. The Worldwide Refugee Crisis
17. “A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains”
18. Global Media Monitoring Project
19. Peace Journalism and War Coverage
5. Privacy
20. Privacy Paradox
21. Facebook—Cambridge Analytica Scandal
22. The Controversial USA PATRIOT Act
23. Privacy of George Floyd protesters in the Age of Biometric Data Collection and Police Surveillance
The Heart of the Matter in News Ethics
Part 2: Persuasion in Advertising
6. Professional Culture
24. Advertising in a Hyperpolitical World
25. Notes on Sustainability
26. Ethics and the Theme Park Experience
27. Ethical Vision: What does It Mean to Serve ¬Clients Well
7. Advertising in an Image-Based Media Culture
28. Bold Glamour Filter
29. The Not So Beautiful Game
30. Anti-Obesity: A Question of Images
31. Indians Everywhere. Indians Nowhere.
32. Stereotyping Disability
8. The Media are Commercial
33. Advertising Pressure Campaigns
34. Media Clearance: a Gatekeeper
35. Disinformation and Fake News
36. Virtual Product Placement
9. The Commercialization of Everyday Life
37. The North Face at the Top
38. Kidinfluencers: the commodification kids
39. Patagonia Takes the Next Step
40. Marketing Prescription Pharmaceuticals
The Heart of the Matter in Advertising Ethics
Part 3: Persuasion and Public Relations
10. Public Communication
41. Anthony Fauci, America’s Doctor
42. The 2024 Deep Fake Election
43. First Ladies Cause Campaign
44. High School Attack Fuels Student Activism
45. The Pressures of Representing the President
11. Telling the Truth in Organizational Settings
46. Private Issues, Public Apologies, Personal Victories
47. #AskSeaWorld Faces Tides of Protests
48. By the Way, We’ve Been Hacked
49. Reporting Recovery
50. Tweeting Roils the Market
12. Conflicting Loyalties
51. Accelerating Recalls
52. Divisive Language Delivers Change at Papa John’s
53. Relationships with Reputational Risks
54: A Healthy Drink?
55: Paying for Play?
56: Tragedy at the Mine
13. The Demands of Social Responsibility
57. Juul Labs and the Youth Vaping Epidemic
58. One for One® Guides Business Practice
59. Ice Bucket Challenge Fundraising
60. Tackling Domestic Violence
61. Association Takes Action Against Controversial Agency
The Heart of the Matter in Public Relations Ethics
Part 4: Entertainment
14. Violence
62. 13 Reasons Why
63. Violence-Centered
64. Comics for Big Kids
65. Video Gaming Changes the Rules
66. Pornography as Innocent Pleasure
15. Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust
67. Copyrights and Cultures
68. Reel History
69. Super Strip
70. Lone Ranger and Tentpoles
71. Duct Tape for TV
72. Faux Doc, Twice Baked
73. The Angelina Effect
16. Media Scope and Depth
74. Extreme Online Challenges
75. Game Over, AI: The Epic Glorbo Prank
76. Tragedy Lite
77. Training in Virtue
78. Internet Play
17. Censorship
79. The Voice of America
80. Frontal Assault
81. A Few Sweet Men
82. Rescue Us
83. Lyrics Not So Cool
The Heart of the Matter in Entertainment Ethics
Index
Biography
Clifford G. Christians is Research Professor Emeritus of Communications, Professor Emeritus of Journalism, and Professor Emeritus of Media Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA.
Mark Fackler is Professor Emeritus of Communications at Calvin College, USA.
Peggy J. Kreshel is Associate Professor Emeritus of Advertising at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and Affiliate Associate Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Women's Studies at the University of Georgia, USA.
William J. Brown is Professor and Research Fellow in the School of Communication and the Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, at Regent University, USA.
Yayu Feng is Assistant Professor in the Department of Emerging Media at the University of St. Thomas, USA.
Holly K. Overton is Associate Professor in the Bellisario College of Communications and Research Director of the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication at the Pennsylvania State University, USA.
Kathy Brittain Richardson is President of Westminster College, Pennsylvania, USA. She is a former Provost and Professor of Communication at Berry College, USA.
