11th Edition
Media Ethics Cases and Moral Reasoning
Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning challenges readers to think analytically about ethical situations in mass communication through original case studies and commentaries about real-life media experiences.
This text provides a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical principles of ethical philosophies, facilitating ethical awareness. It introduces the Potter Box, with its four dimensions of moral analysis, to provide a framework for exploring the steps in moral reasoning and analyzing the cases. Focusing on a wide spectrum of ethical issues faced by media practitioners, the cases in this Eleventh Edition include the most recent issues in journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations and entertainment. Cases touch on issues and places worldwide, from Al Jazeera to the Xinhua News Agency, from Nigerian "brown envelopes" to PR professional standards in South Africa. Racially divisive language comes up in different communication contexts, as does celebrity influence on culture.
A core textbook for classes in media ethics, communication ethics, and ethics in journalism, public relations, and advertising.
Introduction – Ethical Foundations and Perspectives
Part One – News
Chapter 1: Institutional Press
Chapter 2: Truthtelling
Chapter 3: Reporters and Sources
Chapter 4: Social Justice
Chapter 5: Privacy
The Heart of the Matter in News Ethics
Part Two – Advertising
Chapter 6: The Commercialization of Everyday Life
Chapter 7: Advertising in an Image-Based Media Culture
Chapter 8: The Media are Commercial
Chapter 9: Advertising’s Professional Culture
The Heart of the Matter in Advertising Ethics
Part 3 – Public Relations
Chapter 10: Public Communication
Chapter 11: Telling the Truth in Organizational Settings
Chapter 12: Conflicting Loyalties
Chapter 13: The Demands of Social Responsibility
The Heart of the Matter in Public Relations Ethics
Part 4 – Entertainment
Chapter 14 Violence
Chapter 15 Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust
Chapter 16 Media Scope and Depth
Chapter 17 Censorship
The Heart of the Matter in Entertainment Ethics
Biography
Clifford G. Christians is Research Professor of Communications, Professor of Journalism, and Professor of Media Studies Emeritus at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Mark Fackler is Professor of Communications emeritus at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Kathy Brittain Richardson is the president of Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.
Peggy J. Kreshel is Associate Professor of Advertising at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.
