Principles of Mass Media Unit 2 Exam

JOMC 101 with Dr. Sharon Balldeneli UNL COJMC

morals

an individual’s code of behavior based on religious or philosophical principles; define right and wrong in ways that may or may not be rational

ethics

a rational way of deciding what is good for individuals or society; provide a way to choose between competing moral principles and help people decide in cases where there is not a clear-cut right or wrong answer.

golden mean

Aristotle’s notion that ethical behavior comes from hitting a balance, a just right point between excess and defect

categorical imperative

Kant’s idea of a moral obligation is that we should act in a way in which we would be willing to have everyone else act; also known as the principle of universality

principle of utility

John Stuart Mill’s principle that ethical behavior arises from that which will provide the provide the greatest good for the greatest number people

veil of ignorance

John Rawls’ principle of ethics that says that justice comes from making decisions that maximize liberty for all people and without considering which outcome will give us personally the biggest benefit

ombudsman

a representative of a publication's readers who take the point of view of those who purchase or consume the news; also known as a reader’s representative or audience advocate

#gamergate

a series of attacks on women in the video game industry that is framed as a critique of video gaming journalism ethics

social justice warriors

a negative term used within the #gamergate community and elsewhere to describe people who advocate for socially progressive causes, especially women’s equality

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed in 1798 that made it a crime to criticize the government of the US

libel

a published statement that unjustifiably exposes someone to ridicule or contempt; for a statement to be libel, it must satisfy the three elements of defamation, identification, and publication

privilege

a legal defense against libel that holds that statements made in government meetings, in court, or in government documents cannot be used as the basis for a libel suit.

actual malice

a reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of a published account; became the standard for libel plaintiffs who were public figures or officials after the supreme court’s decision in NYT vs Sullivan

intrusion

invasion of privacy by physical trespass into the space around a person’s body or onto property under their control

embarassment

invasion of privacy where a journalist publishes something that is true but embarrassing and not newsworthy about a person.

false light

invasion of privacy in which a journalist publishes untrue statements that alter a person’s public image in a way he or she cannot control

misappropriation

invasion of privacy by using a person’s name or image for commercial purposes without their permission.

prior restraint

a judicial order that stops a media organization from publishing or broadcasting a story or image.

shield laws

laws that give journalists special protection from having to testify in court about their stories and sources

obscenity

sexually explicit material that is legally prohibited from being published

equal time provision

an FCC policy that requires broadcast stations to make equivalent amounts of broadcast time available to all candidates running for public office.

fairness doctrine

a former FCC policy that required television stations to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance

net neutrality

rules that would require internet service providers to give equal access to all online content providers

authoritarian theory

a theory of appropriate press behavior that says the role of the press is to be a servant of the government, not a servant of the citizenry.

communist theory

a theory of appropriate press behavior that says the press is to be run by the government to serve the government’s own needs

libertarian theory

a theory of appropriate press behavior that says the press does not belong to the government but is instead a separate institution that belongs to the people and serves as an independent observer to the government

social responsibility theory

a theory of appropriate press behavior based on the concern that, although the press may be free from interference by the government, it can sill be controlled by corporate interests; an outgrowth of libertarian theory

development theory

a theory of appropriate press behavior that states that developing nations may need to implement press controls in order to promote industry, national identity, and partnerships with neighboring nations.

Al Jazeera

the largest and most viewed Arabic-language satellite news channel, run out of the country of Qatar with a regular audience of 40 million views

small media

alternative media, such as fax machines, photocopiers, video cameras, and personal websites are used to distribute news and information that might be suppressed by the government if published through traditional mass media channels.

Marie Colvin

American journalist writing in London, investigating into Middle Eastern affairs, and killed by the Saudi government because she had been labeled a “terrorist”; international courts ruled her family be paid for the wrongdoings by the Saudi government

Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

Preamble, Seek Truth and Report It, Minimize Harm, Act Independently, Be Accountable and Transparent

Kevin Carter and “The Struggling Girl”

example of ethical dilemmas in photojournalism; was the impact/artistic nature of the photo more important, or should the child have been aided?

Hutchins Commission 5 Principles

1. Truthful information in a context that gives meaning

2. Forum for exchange of comments and criticism

3. Equally and fairly represent all groups in society

4. Present and clarify societal goals and values

5. Provide full access to daily news

Standards for Digital Photo Manipulation

1. Conventional darkroom practices (lighting, developing) are acceptable

2. Colors cannot be changed

3. Backgrounds cannot be eliminated or changed

4. Original, unedited images must be available

5. Retouching should be used only to remove dust spots or things of the sort

6. Violation is acceptable only in images clearly labeled as photo art or illustration

Kobe Bryant’s Death

example of the standard of decency; media outlets had published unfinished information before the family had been contacted or given privacy

Freedoms of the 1st Amendment

1. Religion

2. Press

3. Speech

4. Assembly

5. Petition

USA Patriot Act

Examples of limits on free speech; allowed for wiretaps, increased domestic surveillance, monitored language that could be interpreted as or linked to terrorism, and broadened terrorism definitions

Citizens United vs FEC

extends first amendment freedom of speech to include what statements people choose to make with donations; super-rich donors and candidates sponsored by corporate interests can donate as much as they want for advertising, putting certain political leaders at the monetary mercy of big companies

the first amendment protects citizens from ——- intrusion, not from —— regulations.

government, corporate

John Peter Zenger case

set the precedent that statements cannot be libel if they are true. NY printer printed a paper telling unflattering but very true information about the NY governor who was acting as a tyrant; went to jail but was proven not guilty

Alan Wells 5 dimensions

1. who controls the media?

2. who is financing the media?

3. what are the media trying to accomplish?

4. who is the target audience?

5. what are the feedback mechanisms?

Manga

Japanese form of cartoons and art that tell stories and make political statements; estimated 95% of the population consumes on a regular basis

World Press Freedom Index

rates countries on how truly free and citizen-serving the press is in their nation; Norwegian countries rate at the top, us in the middle, china/drc at the bottom