Writing Assignment
Leadership and Sports Ethics
MSA 624 Unit # 7 Part 2
Ethical Considerations for Sports Media
Format for Unit sessions
• Introduction of the Unit
• Unit Topics
• Christian worldview applications
• Major points for the week’s learning
2
Introduction to Unit
• This week, we look at ethical considerations in sports media.
• We will also explore the Biblical principles of accountability and persistence in ethical leadership.
3
Topics we’ll cover
• Ethical considerations in sports media
• Biblical principles of accountability and persistence
4
Unit Objectives
• Consider principles of accountability and persistence from the Bible
• Review ethical considerations in sports media
• Solve sports ethics cases
5
Questions for Reflection & Study
• What are 3-5 ethical leadership principles from the New Testament?
• What are sports ethics issues and solutions in sports media?
6
Biblical Foundation
• Galatians 2:1-2 Accountability in leadership is important
▫ Notice again that the Bible uses a sports analogy seamlessly as a way to illustrate the Christian life
▫ As a ethical leader, it is important to make yourself accountable to others. You may be ethical but as the Scripture says: “He who stands, take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). You also want to set the pace for creating an ethical organization.
7
Biblical Foundation (cont.)
• 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Set a good example!
▫ As an ethical leader, it is important that you set an excellent example in specific ways: your teaching, purpose, faith (trust in God which leads to confidence in values and zeal for ethical vision), patience, love, endurance (when faced with difficulties)
▫ If someone is really a bad person, you can’t expect them to magically “get better” simply because of your “good intentions”
8
Biblical Foundation (cont.)
• 2 Timothy 3:10-17 (cont.)
▫ You WILL face challenges, so don’t get knocked off course! (see Galatians 3:1)
▫ The Scriptures are useful for organizational ethics
▫ Transparency is important in ethical leadership
▫ It is a good idea to maintain your good principles despite the organizational situation
9
Biblical Foundation (cont.)
• Hebrews 12:1-12 As you lead, don’t forget your heart
▫ Again, sports image used seamlessly to illustrate endurance and movement in Christian life (ethics)
▫ Stay focused on doing the right thing in the midst of your busy operational environment and let God sort out the results
10
Biblical Foundation (cont.)
• Hebrews 12:1-12 (cont.)
▫ God has a purposed in the difficulties you face, so have hope
▫ If you are facing personal ethical challenges, slow down and just start actively doing the right thing no matter how small
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Sports and the Media
• Reporting on sports has gone on for over 100 years
• Historically fans only followed their local teams
▫ Initially only reporting about the local team in the local paper
▫ With TV, only one game with local (or regional) team or one Game of the Week (MLB)
12
Sports and the Media (cont.)
• Technology has now made sports a global business
▫ Cable and satellite TV
▫ ESPN is the media entity that has probably done the most to transform sports reporting, production and viewing
▫ Now sports fans can watch a myriad of sporting events , 24 hours a day, seven days a week
▫ Along with TV; radio, the Internet, print media and social media deliver sports
13
Essential Questions
• A sports media representative should ask essential questions before releasing a news story:
▫ Does the story represent both sides of the issue?
▫ Does the story show bias in any way?
▫ Does the story deceive the reader or viewer in any way?
• The goal must be ACCURACY
14
Media Ethics
• Some say that the highest ethical principle of media is to “tell the story” (see movie Broadcast News)
• However, the real issue is: WHICH story do you tell?
▫ Your worldview determines which story is important and why
▫ It also determines how you will portray the story
▫ It also can be the primary vehicle for propaganda
15
Media Ethics (cont.)
• Propaganda and the media
• Definition of propaganda:
▫ 1: the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
▫ 2: ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also a public action having such an effect
(www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary)
16
Media Ethics (cont.)
• Nothing wrong with a certain point of view
• Just let others know what it is:
▫ One other viewpoint on the subject: http://www.historians.org/projects/giroundtable/ Propaganda/Propaganda7.htm
▫ Biblical viewpoint: openness and honesty regarding intentions (see 2 Corinthians 4:1-2)
17
Media Ethics (cont.)
• Integrity is an essential quality for any journalist or media outlet
• However, just like in sports, individuals cut corners to get ahead
▫ Reporting negativity
▫ Plagiarism
▫ Not confirming facts to beat someone else with a story
18
Media Ethics (cont.)
• Must guard against conflicts of interest
• Accuracy is critical
▫ If lacking, can reduce creditability
▫ Any interpretation must be reasonable based on the facts
▫ Recommended practice in most cases is to confirm a story with a second source before running
• Must be committed to the goal of fairness in the pursuit of any story
19
Media Ethics (cont.)
• No individual can be totally objective
• In order to insure fairness, it is helpful to equate fairness with completeness
▫ No story should omit certain facts that would shed light on the truthfulness of a story
▫ Also should never exclude important information through the use of irrelevant information
20
Media Ethics (cont.)
• Fairness (cont.)
▫ Should never exclude important information through the use of irrelevant information
▫ Finally, an important story should not be buried just because it does not agree with the reporter’s viewpoint
21
Plagiarism in Sports Media
• Plagiarism is taking someone else’s work and presenting it as your own
• Plagiarism is one of the “unforgiveable sins” of journalism
• Materials taken from others sources MUST be cited
• Plagiarism can lead to lawsuits and even criminal charges
22
Ethics and Social Media in Sports
• Social media is a way to distribute information through Internet tools such as: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
• It can also include news and information posted in other forms forums, blogs, websites, podcasts, and message boards
• However, can be used for good and bad
23
Twitter as Sports Media
• Several issues surround the use of Twitter by professional athletes:
▫ Players see the social media world as a way to promote themselves
▫ Players must abide by team rules about social media use
▫ Players sometimes say the wrong thing on Twitter which and result in fines
24
Leadership Reminder
• Remember!
• A leader is one who:
▫ Sees a need,
▫ Finds out about it
▫ Takes positive action to make it better (ethical solutions)
• YOU are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
25
Review
• Considered principles of accountability and persistence from the Bible
• Reviewed ethical considerations in sports media
• Solved sports ethics cases
26
Questions for Reflection & Study
• What are 3-5 ethical leadership principles from the New Testament?
• What are sports ethics issues and solutions in sports media?
27
Recap of Unit
• We looked at ethical considerations in sports media.
• We will also explored the Biblical principles of accountability and persistence in ethical leadership.
28
References
• Thornton, P.; Champion, W. and Ruddell, L. (2011). Sports Ethics for Sports Management Professionals. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
29
What next?
• Take the Unit Quiz
• Complete your detailed reading
• Answer the discussion questions
• Complete the writing assignments
30
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This concludes Unit 7 Part 2