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

11

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

31

This concludes Unit 7 Part 2