DISCUSSION 2 -- FAKE NEWS OR PERSUASIVE WRITING?

6/9/2021 Topic: DISCUSSION 2 -- FAKE NEWS OR PERSUASIVE WRITING?

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This is a graded discussion: 25 points possible due Jun 12

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Recently, social media companies have been under attack by the advertisers, media, and the public over controversial material posted on their websites. The authors of the questionable articles argue that they are just using persuasive writing covered by the First Amendment of the U.S. constitution. Critics argue that their postings are inciting hatred and violence, which is not covered by the First Amendment.

Suppose that your employer asked you to write a persuasive article for publication that included information that made you feel uncomfortable. How would you handle this situation? Who would you go to ask for advice, if anyone? How would you confront your employer about your feelings? Do you know anyone that has encountered this situation?

Submit your response (in APA format for any references used) – 15pts.

Reply to two (2) other posted responses for full points – 5pts. + 5pts. for each reply.

Total possible points = 25

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(https:// Joy Everson (https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1424294/users/4253321) Yesterday

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If my employer asked me to write a persuasive article for publication that included information that made me feel uncomfortable, I would first take some time to myself to really understand what is being asked of me and document it (Boogaard, 2020). After all, it really depends on what specifically I'm being asked to do. If I am being asked to write something that I simply don't agree with, then so be it. I won't enjoy it, but I'll still do it. However, if I'm being asked to write something that can cause significant damage (for example if it involves prejudice or misinformation that could harm others), then I will try my best to document the incident and ask someone with legal knowledge what they recommend. Ultimately, I may just talk to my employer and ask if there's any way I can be assigned a different topic. After all, there's no harm in asking; the worst my employer can

6/9/2021 Topic: DISCUSSION 2 -- FAKE NEWS OR PERSUASIVE WRITING?

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say is no. I would explain how and why the topic makes me uncomfortable and ask what the purpose of this article is; if the goal can be achieved through a different means, then that would be preferable. If there is no way around it and my employer says I must write this article for my job, I would talk to my fiancé. He majored in communications and is the most diplomatic person I've ever met. I'd ask him what he recommends I do, and, if writing the article is the best course of action, how to word it in a way that would be the least problematic. And of course, if what I'm being asked to do is dangerous or unethical, then I will quit (and sue depending on what the legal advisor recommends).

References:

Boogaard, K. (2020, June 19). This Is the Best Way to React to a Request From Your Boss That Makes You Feel Uneasy. The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/this-is-the-best- way-to-react-to-a-request-from-your-boss-that-makes-you-feel-uneasy

(http Andreah Cruz (https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1424294/users/4474232) Yesterday

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Hello Joy!

I agree with what you wrote. There are different measures on what people's limits are but in the end, it's up to us to really decide what's unethical. I'm assuming both of our tolerances are pretty high, so for an employer to choose a sensitive topic that we are uncomfortable with, they would have to choose a pretty bad one. At that point I wouldn't even think about writing it in the least problematic way, I would just quit and turn to social media and they can probably do something about the company. I would post something along the lines of how they tried to make me write such an unethical article and points of why I think it's problematic. Social media can have a big impact on shutting down a business and you may be able to run across someone who would want to hire you for your ethics or standards.

(http Joy Everson (https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1424294/users/4253321) Yesterday

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That's very true! Social media is powerful. Also, if a business is big, there could be a human resources department that would provide protection to workers from wild business demands. By the way, when I talked about writing the article in the least problematic way, I'm referring to the way politicians sometimes speak. Answering questions without really answering questions. Saying things that form sentences but lack meaning. After all, if I absolutely need the job to pay for my child's life

6/9/2021 Topic: DISCUSSION 2 -- FAKE NEWS OR PERSUASIVE WRITING?

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saving surgery, then I will take on the assignment. My family is everything to me. Moreover, even if I agree to writing the article, I don't have to agree to make it a good one. Fine print and inexplicit implications go both ways. But you are right that my tolerance is pretty high. I can write on very controversial topics, but I always try to stay professional. If my employer specifically asks me not to be professional and write something that will bring about catastrophe, then I will quit. Or turn it into satire and then quit. At the end of the day, I don't want my intellect to be used as a tool for harm.

(https:// Andreah Cruz (https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1424294/users/4474232) Yesterday

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I believe the one person most popular for using their “First Amendment'' usage would be Donald Trump’s tweets. People on his side could say that he was just defending himself, but others would say that he’s inciting violence against the capital (Cineas, 2020, para. 8). What I’m trying to say is that there are levels and opinions on what you feel is going to entice hatred and violence. If I had a job that would make me write things I’m “uncomfortable” with, they would have to choose a topic that’s really high up there on the scale since I believe I have a pretty high tolerance for sensitive topics. For example, if I had to write why abortion should be banned I would be able to, even though I don’t fully agree with it. However, if I needed to write about why we should start forming hate crimes against Asians because everyone believes it’s our fault that COVID happened, that’s where I draw the line (Sprunt, 2021). I guess you can say that it starts getting uncomfortable for me when someone gets mentally or physically hurt. I would handle this situation by respectfully declining and telling them in a professional manner how hurtful it would be for me to write it. If they disagree with the points I made, then I’ll respect their opinion, and try to leave the workplace. If I can’t leave, I would ask advice from a fellow senior in my workplace or friends. I don’t know anyone who has encountered this situation, but I imagine how tough it would feel if someone felt uncomfortable doing their job and they can’t leave. With the limited job options that actually satisfy people’s needs, many are either forced to stay at their current job or not work at all (Morath, 2021, para. 3).

References:

1. Cineas, F. (2020, October 9). Donald Trump is the accelerant. https://www.vox.com/21506029/trump-violence-tweets-racist-hate-speech.

2. Morath, E. (2021, May 6). Millions Are Unemployed. Why Can't Companies Find Workers? https://www.wsj.com/articles/millions-are-unemployed-why-cant-companies- find-workers-11620302440.

6/9/2021 Topic: DISCUSSION 2 -- FAKE NEWS OR PERSUASIVE WRITING?

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3. Sprunt, B. (2021, May 20). Here's What The New Hate Crimes Law Aims To Do As Attacks On Asian Americans Rise. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/20/998599775/biden-to- sign-the-covid-19-hate-crimes-bill-as-anti-asian-american-attacks-rise.

(http Joy Everson (https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1424294/users/4253321) Yesterday

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I agree, one must weigh the pros and cons. It's not necessarily ethical, but if a person needs a job to feed their family or even more so to pay someone's medical bills then they may choose to do what isn't ethical in order to care for themselves or their loved ones. It's unfortunate, but people will prioritize their survival (and I don't think they should necessarily be judged for that depending on the situation). I agree with you that the general line can be drawn where people actually get hurt. I also have experienced some discrimination since the pandemic due to my heritage, so I agree that words need to be used careful as to not incite hatred or even violence. At the same time, I definitely feel for people during the pandemic who have been pushed to do unethical things in order to feed themselves. The world can be very harsh sometimes. Ultimately, I just try to use my best judgement and suggest others do the same. By the way, I think it was a good idea that you listed -to go to other people in the company to ask for advice-, but I'd also recommend caution as that could create workplace conflict. There are so many nuances that I think it's difficult to have a blanket solution. It's good to know that you would do your best not to participate in anything that could cause harm though. There are many people who would take the easy way out and not think twice about harming their fellow citizens. It's quite sad, honestly. One can only hope that each generation is more compassionate and open minded than the previous, so that we might one day live in a more ideal society.