Media Ethics
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MediaEthics_Dynamics_Assignment2.docxWriting Assignment: Media Ethics
Draft Due Date: T, April 9
Final Due Date: R, April 11
For this assignment, you will explore your views on media ethics. Your instructor has assigned background materials related to a media controversy regarding the Der Spiegal editor, Claas Relotius . Your essay should demonstrate that you understand the major ethical conflicts involved in this situation, can articulate the positives and negatives on the issues involved, and offer a recommendation on how these issues might have been alternatively addressed. You will demonstrate your ability to present information clearly and coherently and to put together information from different sources without plagiarizing. Your reflection should be between 350-400 words in length, which is about two typewritten pages, double-spaced with one inch margins. This assignment is worth 25 points.
The following questions may help to get you started:
· What do you think the most important aspects of this media controversy are?
· Have the media been too harsh on the journalist, or do his/her actions warrant a harsh response?
· What about this case would concern you, if you were a reader of this work?
· What concerns do you, as a fellow media writer, have about this situation?
· Do you think Howard Rheingold’s Crap Detection 101 tactics are an effective defense against misinformation as presented by this journalist?
An analysis of the ethical dimensions of a situation can take three directions: (1) whether an action honors or violates anyone’s rights or duties, (2) whether there are harmful or beneficial consequences to the action, and (3) whether the actions impact on the character and integrity of the people and organizations involved.[footnoteRef:1] Using one of these perspectives may help you to clarify the issues and perspectives that should be considered with this case. The Ethics Code of the Society of Professional Journalists ( http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp) may be a helpful resource on journalism ethics. [1: Excerpted from the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Journalism’s website, “Ethics in a Nutshell,” available at http://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/resources/ethics-in-a-nutshell/.]
Tips for success
Clarify the issues – Clearly identify the ethical issues that have been discussed in class and are present in this case, and briefly describe how they apply in these circumstances.
Identify the pros and cons – Describe the competing ethical values in this situation. How does the reality of today’s media landscape impact this evaluation? Discuss the influence of converging media platforms and the immediate availability of online information, and how they relate to this case.
Recommend a course of action – Answer the question, “So what?” What alternative course of action could have been taken? What are the important lessons learned? Be sure to substantiate your perspectives by referencing the assigned readings, class discussion and personal experiences.
Requirements at a glance
· Write an essay that clearly identifies the ethical issues, reports on the norms and values that are in conflict, and recommends a course of action
· 350-400 words, double spaced.
· Follow the instructions in the syllabus regarding the format of writing assignments
· Bring four hard copies of your draft to class (one for the instructor, three for peer editing) on the day the draft is due (see class schedule for due date)
· Upload final version to Blackboard on the due date (see class schedule for due date)
Claas Relotius resources:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/claas-relotius-reporter-forgery-scandal-a-1244755.html
https://www.cjr.org/analysis/der-spiegel-claas-relotius.php
You may choose to do additional Internet searches.
MediaEthics.Assignment
