Journalism Ethics

Summary

In this video lecture, Professor Mark Robaski delves into journalism ethics, addressing the public's distrust in media and exploring if such skepticism is justified. He discusses historical shifts in journalism, from the biased early American press to the rise of objectivity. Robaski scrutinizes contemporary issues like media bias, sensationalism, and the role of journalists in democracy. He also highlights the importance of ethical guidelines for journalists and the public's role in supporting quality journalism, emphasizing the media's vital function in a thriving democracy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The media's reputation is under attack, with figures like Donald Trump and Joe Biden criticizing media outlets for spreading 'fake news' or showing bias.
• 🧐 The public's distrust in the media stems from high expectations of accuracy and objectivity, which have only been a standard for about a century.
• 📰 The early American Press was known for being partisan and biased, with a significant shift towards neutrality occurring after events like the Civil War.
• 🔍 The term 'yellow journalism' emerged from unethical practices in the late 1800s and early 1900s, leading to a public demand for fair and accurate reporting.
• 🤔 Walter Lippmann criticized the New York Times for biased coverage of the Russian Revolution, arguing journalists were more focused on political narratives than facts.
• 🔄 The concept of journalistic objectivity involves being neutral, unbiased, and balanced, despite the inherent challenges due to human subjectivity.
• ✅ Journalists adopted codes of ethics in response to criticism and public backlash, emphasizing principles like objectivity and verifying facts.
• 📉 A decline in public trust is evident, with a 2018 Gallup poll showing a significant drop in Americans who believe the media separates fact from opinion.
• 🌐 The perception of media bias is a global issue, with the U.S. ranking lower than other countries in public trust, according to a 2022 survey.
• 🗣️ The media's role as the 'fourth estate' is crucial for democracy, with journalists having a duty to hold government officials accountable and inform the public.

Q & A

What is the main reason for the public's disappointment in the press as mentioned in the script?

The public has high standards for journalists, expecting them to be accurate and objective in their reporting. However, the notion of journalists being honest and fair is relatively recent, leading to disappointment when these standards are not met.

How did the Civil War influence the reporting style of journalists during the 1860s?

The Civil War led to a transformation in journalism where reporters from newswire organizations like the Associated Press reported on battles in a neutral and factual manner, avoiding injecting pro-north or pro-south opinions into their coverage.

What is 'yellow journalism' and how did it impact public perception of the media?

Yellow journalism refers to the unethical practices of sensationalism and inaccurate reporting during the late 1800s and early 1900s, particularly by newspaper publishers like Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. It led to a public backlash and a push for accurate and fair reporting.

What did Walter Lippmann criticize about the New York Times' coverage of the Russian Revolution?

Walter Lippmann criticized the New York Times for distorting its coverage of the Russian Revolution due to the staff's bias, arguing that journalists were more concerned with political narratives than with facts.

What does 'objectivity' mean in journalism?

In journalism, objectivity means being neutral, unbiased, balanced, and without personal ideology, values, and opinions. It involves practices like presenting both sides of a controversy, identifying sources, putting information in context, and verifying facts.

According to the script, why did the public's confidence in newspapers and television news reach an all-time low in 2022?

The public's confidence in newspapers and television news reached an all-time low due to a perceived increase in partisan, biased, and unreliable reporting, as well as a decline in media literacy among the public.

What role does the press play in a democracy according to the U.S. Constitution?

The press plays a crucial role in a democracy as it is considered the fourth estate, serving as a check on the government beyond the three branches. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees press freedom and freedom of speech.

How does the lack of diversity in newsrooms contribute to bias in journalism?

The lack of diversity in newsrooms, particularly in terms of race, socio-economic status, and political views, can lead to structural bias. A homogeneous group of journalists may not adequately cover the diverse population of the United States, leading to underrepresentation and skewed perspectives.

What are the four principles of the Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics?

The four principles of the Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics are: 1) Seek the truth and report it, 2) Minimize harm, 3) Act independently, and 4) Be accountable.

Why is it important for journalists to correct their mistakes and be accountable according to the ethics code?

Correcting mistakes and being accountable is important for journalists to maintain credibility and trust with the public. It ensures that the media remains a reliable source of information and upholds the ethical standards of the profession.

How can the public help improve the quality of journalism?

The public can help improve the quality of journalism by becoming media literate, supporting good journalism, and being discerning consumers who demand accurate and fair reporting. Consumers' choices can influence which stories get attention and which do not.