Media Ethics

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Media Ethics
Question One
Media conglomeration refers to the trend where one major media company holds and controls other numerous but smaller media enterprises such as radio, motion pictures, and television among others. Whereas conglomeration may work best in other fields, a conglomeration of the media groups comes with some ethical implications. Observably, media conglomeration gives large institutions powers to dominate the media with some unfair practices. Firstly, through a conglomeration of the media, there would be lack of competing viewpoints and consolidation. Given that such groups are responsible for all the dealing of the industry, they may silence any information that opposes their views. With such kind of practice, the common persons or the public is denied necessary services, leading to the development of undemocratic society (Boyle and Schmierbach 15).
Secondly, with the media conglomeration, competition will be reduced. Moreover, lack of competition makes large companies change from serving public service interest to money oriented. Owing to their assurance of larger interest, such corporations will begin compromising the quality of their services at the expense of profit maximization. To some extent, customers will be compelled to pay for more charges due to lack of alternative media houses that can sort their issues.
Lastly, gender and minority biasness in advertisements is an ethical issue associated with the conglomeration of the media.

Given that women and other minority groups hold less share on TV and other media groups as compared with men and majority groups, reason shows that conglomeration will reduce their chances of being captured in the news media. In other words, is conglomeration is biasing because it discriminates women and other minority groups (Boyle and Schmierbach 11).
The conglomeration of the media also causes ethical harm to society. Through media conglomeration, individuals would lack avenues to air their grievances because the mainstream media may decline to air what taints their images (Boyle and Schmierbach 4).With such undertakings, their societal members will have no alternative of expressing their views. The conglomeration of the media also leads to media commercialization. Such trends if not controlled interfere with the rights of the economically disadvantaged as the rich get their way at the expense of the poor. Besides, serving the public rather than the system is one of the aims of the media. Service to the public makes the media a watchdog of the weak in society. However, given that conglomeration encourages commercialization, the government may take such advantages to become one of the sponsors of the media whose views are catered for as opposed to public. To such extent, societal democratic space shall have been limited, leaving the weak at the mercy of the despots.
Media ownership is a real issue. In many cases, media ownership works to the advantage of those who own sources of the media. In other words, owning a source of the media means that the media will only report things that favor its smooth existence and operation. Owing to the challenges that result from media ownership, creating public awareness would be one of the best solutions (Boyle and Schmierbach 6). However, informing society about the effects of media ownership might not be easy, especially for media practitioners because conglomerates might thwart such efforts to continue with their monopoly. Consequently, media practitioners who intend to inform society of the effects of media ownership might be a loggerhead with their employers. Given the weight of such issues, media practitioners might use neutral persons to relay such information to the public so that they don’t appear as though they betray the trust bestowed on them by their employers. Even if the mainstream media refuse to pass such information, those neutral fellows might still use other avenues such as organizing gatherings to meet and inform people on dangers of media ownership.
Question Two
Owing to the deteriorating nature of the media, Hutchins Commission was formed to deliberate on pressure that threatened freedom of the press. The commission’s intention was to investigate and create sanity on functioning of the media, particularly in democracies. From its findings, the commission showed that social responsibility is an important requirement in media operations. Consequently, the commission was very much concerned with the role and services of the media to the public rather than the system. Hutchins Commission gave guidelines that the media must follow in serving the interest of the public (Atkinson 267).
Moreover, the effectiveness of findings as given by the Hutchins Commission was based on five basic principles influenced by the theory of moral responsibility. Firstly, the principles as laid by the commission advocated for self-regulation of the media. Secondly, it mandated the media to reflect diversity of the cultures that they represent. Thirdly, the commission reached on the need adhere to high standards for objectivity and professionalism. Fourthly, it required the media to practice expression of truth as a way of preserving democracy. Lastly, emphasized the right of the public to expect professional performance from the media.
Arguably, the five principles reached by the Hutchins Commission are vital for the future of a solid media. Firstly, self-regulation of the media would ensure freedom of the future media in its services to the public. Secondly, the public’s right to the expectation of professional performance will ensure continuity in services that serves the interest of the public. Thirdly, the policy explaining reflection of diversity of cultures that the media represent would ensure that the media stick to ethical factors that do not discriminate but cater for everyone including vulnerable members of the society (Atkinson 76). Fourthly, fulfilling democratic society as a way of preserving freedom would ensure that the media works towards achieving the common good of the society rather than siding with the government of the day. Lastly, objectivity, truth, and accuracy as well as high standards for professionalism ensure ethical considerations in the future of the media (Boyle and Schmierbac13).
Whereas the Hutchins Commission brought substantial changes in the press, the media still faces some challenges. However, taking some bold steps towards strengthening the media and media ethics would solve the challenges facing the current media. Notably, integrating the media codes in the corporate culture of the media would improve its deteriorating culture. Besides, entrenching severe punishment in the media laws would correct those who are found breaching the set standard of the media is another way of ensuring sanity in the media (Atkinson 23).
Arguably, any objective thinker would argue that indeed, a new Hutchings Commission is necessary. Given the age of the Hutchins Commission, it is likely that current generation may view it as old, forcing for the implementation of other media policies through the creation of another Hutchings Commission. Since the creation of Hutchings Commission, things have changed. Notably, new information technologies have also been realized, complicating the way news is received and broadcasted. For instance, the era of face-to-face method of relaying information that would allow an eyewitness to authenticate his findings is gone. Therefore, it creates difference with the new age of the internet that decrease media coverage and information relay. However, such new technologies face some challenges that can be solved only by new Hutchings Commission (Atkinson 77).
Question Five
Al Gore, the 45th Vice President of the United States who served between 1993 and 2001 is accredited as an original developer of “Information Superhighway” that later became the internet. With his vast knowledge in computer, Gore intended to make use of the full internet that could go beyond academia to influence economic and educational development in his country. Moreover, Gore’s interest and persistent that later initiated the “Information Superhighway” are known to have begun in began in the 1970s (Boyle and Schmierbach 7).
The development of information superhighway is attributed to Al Gore due to his frantic efforts that created the internet. Historically, the computer literate senator- Al Gore utilized the periods of the 1980s and 1990s to promote legislations that funded the ARPANET for the expansion of the communication system and development of the internet. On 24 Jun 1986, Albert Gore went in record to have introduced S 2594 Supercomputer Network Study Act of 1986 that brought changes in the information system. Gore never gave up on his mission. Therefore, in 1991, he created the Gore Bill that advocated for the High-Performance Computing and Communication (Atkinson 40).
Owing to the passage of the Gore Bill, $600 million was allocated to cater for its requirements. Through the highly funded Bill, National Research and Educational Network (NREN) emerged, composed of academia, industry, and government with a mission to push for the development of gigabit/sec networking. However, a breakthrough was reached with the creation of National Information Infrastructure (NII), alias the Information Superhighway.
Arguably, any critical thinker would accept that journalists were a part of the early history of the internet development. For instance, studies show that National Research and Educational Network (NREN) that emerged with the passage and funding of the 1991 Gore Bill was composed of the academia, industry, and government with sole intention of developing gigabit/sec networking. Here, the “industry” as referred implies the entire communication industry inclusive of journalists (Boyle and Schmierbach 6).
Whereas the internet is associated with some drawbacks, it is worth accepting that many factors make the internet beneficial to the society. Firstly, the internet has made the society appear to one global community. Indeed, the high speed of disseminating information has brought the society together with people communicating and receiving instant feedback irrespective of their geographical locations. Secondly, the internet has contributed to peace that many societies enjoy. Unlike before, current security issues can be monitored and controlled through the internet. In other words, governments use the internet to control crimes. Thirdly, education experts can use the internet to educate some societal members at lower cost as compared with the physical method of education. Fourthly, Business promotion is another importance of the media to the society. Such promotion will be much faster and widely spread but at lower cost. Lastly, the emergence of the internet is associated with the e-trade that has brought many changes. With the internet, societal members can access, purchase and receive products online irrespective of their geographical locations.
Journalists and the media, in general, can better support citizen-building activities for the internet in many ways. However, the best way to do it is by making citizens aware of the norms that guide their usage of the media. Besides, they would support citizen-building activities on the internet by creating various sites where citizens can post their activities. Within such sites, posts will be checked to ensure that they meet the required standard before they are relayed to the public. Thirdly, practicing of impartiality will encourage good relations between journalists and citizens. With such relationship, the public will be free to seek assistance from the media where possible (Boyle and Schmierbach 13).
Question Six
Yellow Journalism is a term believed to have originated in America. According to studies, timeframe determines the definition of Yellow Journalism. In the olden days, the term Yellow Journalism referred to a type of journalism that present information that is not well searched by the use of eye-catching headlines. However, the term as used in the contemporary world refers to any type of Journalism that treats news in unethical or unprofessional manner. Whether defined in the past or present times, one finds that sensationalism, exaggerations or scandal-mongering makes parts of Yellow Journalism (Atkinson 56).
Whereas the definition may depend with period, studies show that Yellow Journalism has five main characteristics that make it unique in some ways. Imaginary drawings or lavish use of attention-catching pictures based on comic scripts, minor news but with hugely printed scare headlines indicated as made by experts, dramatic sympathy given to the minors against the system characterizes Yellow Journalism (Atkinson 67). Besides, use of unrealistic interviews with misleading headlines as well as unnecessary colorations complements Yellow Journalism.
On the other hand, Muckracking Journalism is a type of journalism that was commonly used in the progressive era (the 1890s–1920). Like seen in the case of Yellow Journalism, the definition of Muckracking Journalism depends on the timeframe. Notably, the term as used in the past and present time may give two distinct meanings. Defined in the angle of progressive era, Muckracking Journalism is a type of journalism meant to attack established institutions and leaders to expose their weaknesses and other evil deeds. In the contemporary world, Muckracking Journalism refers to investigative journalism due to their investigative roles on issues affecting ordinary persons (Atkinson 67).
Muckraking and Yellow Journalism had many writers/ reporters. Upton Sinclair, William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were some of the famous Yellow Journalists and Muckracking reporters. Besides, R. F. Outcault, Lincoln Steffens, Ray Stannard Baker, Nellie Bly, Ida M Tarbell, Ida M Tarbell and Will Irwin made part of prominent Muckracking and Yellow Journalism writers. Also falling among the group were Will Irwin, David Graham Phillips, David Graham Phillips, Jacob Riis, Jacob Riis, Charles Edward Russell and William English Walling.
Historically, several factors place importance on Muckracking and Yellow Journalism in the history of media. Given the faults of Yellow Journalism, one would conclude that its nature gave room to establishment of ethical norms that could guide media operations. For instance, it is realized that information given by Yellow Journalism was not very accurate but an exaggeration and unnecessary propaganda that was only meant to increase their selling (Atkinson 167). Though such information was attractive, it would interfere with the truth, leading to many controversies. To such extent, realization of its strengths and weaknesses as far as societal norms are concerned led to the creation of media ethic that prompts exposition of truth.
Consequently, the nature of Muckracking Journalism as information based on truth and fact-finding was very instrumental in the history of the media. Given its investigative nature and publication of information based on truth, Muckracking Journalism triggered the development of media ethics that would ensure truthfulness in all the information relayed to the public. Besides, Muckracking Journalism ensured accuracy as part of media information. In other words, it gave sanity to the development of the media. Even though its news could be boring given that they would report real facts, Muckracking Journalism taught the media how to make captivating headlines and contents that can withstand the test of time. Besides, it shaped the media in discussing issues that affect the society rather than siding with the system of the day (Atkinson 14).
Question Eight
Photojournalism is one of the complex methods of news coverage. Moreover, application of some rigid elements of ethical practices makes photojournalism simple and distinct in its own way. The principles of accuracy, truthfulness, impartiality, objectivity, public accountability and fairness are some of the elements of ethical practice in photojournalism. Notably, applications of such elements in photojournalism create standardized information that satisfies the public (Boyle and Schmierbach10).
Impartiality as an element of ethics applied in photojournalism calls for the journalists to collect and disseminate news without of biasness. With impartiality, journalists will cater for everybody without discrimination. Analytically, application of impartiality works best to the requirements of the media. In fact, it ensures that the public and not the system are supported. Besides, its application is important because it encourages democracy.
Accuracy is an important element in photojournalism. Accuracy implies that journalist reports the exact thing or situation as it is to the public. Accuracy will also mean that the information given is up to dates. Accuracy is important in photojournalism because some of the pictures used or reported are in the public domain. In many cases, accuracy in photojournalism creates trust among the public, especially when they confirm that photojournalist captured and reported information without alterations.
Unlike other types of journalism, the use of photos combined with other elements creates complexity in photojournalism (Boyle and Schmierbach 7). However, application of fairness solves ambiguity realized in photojournalism. As an element of ethical standard in photojournalism, fairness levels the ground to satisfy all parties involved. For instance, fairness will ensure that a photojournalist posts news that satisfies both the public and families of individuals whose photos are used. With fairness, photojournalists will accompany the photos with comments that decrease understanding among the public.
In photojournalism, public accountability is an element of ethical practice that ensures application of norms that satisfy the public. Public accountability gives the public mandate to demand fairness from the media (Boyle and Schmierbach 10). When applied in photojournalism, public accountability ensures that news publicized serves interest of the public rather than the system. Public accountability is as vital in photojournalism because its application discourages corruption and biasness that may arise when the media sides with sponsors.
Truthfulness is an element of ethical practice that is used in photojournalism as a guide to one’s conduct in giving real and appropriate information. Application of element of truthfulness in photojournalism is vital in creating trust among the public. Truthfulness will also help one act according to the norms that guide the media. For instance, a truthful journalist will always cater for the interest of the public as opposed to those who take bribes in support of the government (Boyle and Schmierbach 14).
Works Cited
Atkinson, Joshua (2010), Alternative Media and Politics of Resistance: A Communication Perspective, New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing, ISBN 978-1-4331-0517-3
Boyle, Michael & Schmierbach, Mike (2009), “Media Use and Protest: The Role of Mainstream and Alternative Media Use in Predicting Traditional and Protest Participation”, Communication Quarterly: 1–17.