New media can be any form of technology with a snap shot camera or video camera, such as a cell phone. With “new” media, seemingly, anyone can be a journalist, or an amateur journalist. Easy access to the Internet is a benefactor in this. With easy access to the Internet through wifi, our computers and even our cell phones, an individual can snap a picture or record a video of any incident. The intriguing fact of this is that anyone can publish an incident that had just occurred to their friends and family on any social network in a matter of seconds after taking the shot. Now the issue with this is, in what circumstance is it ethical to take a photo or video of someone or something and publish it on a social network or any form of internet based media? Is it ethical for someone to take a picture of another walking down the street wearing distasteful clothing? How would you feel if that was you and someone had posted it in a Facebook group? Or is it ethical to take a picture of a house on fire and someone is in the window screaming for help? Due to technology being so accessible people have been desensitized in common sense because they rely solely on different forms of technology to communicate.
New media has made it possible for any form of breaking news, whether newsworthy to all or not, to be published to several forms of technology. In being able to do so, there has been numerous cases of controversy, such as the case where a journalist snapped a picture of soldier in his casket at a funeral. Another incident is when a photographer took a picture of a little girl’s dead body being rushed out of her house in hopes of reviving her. New media isn’t necessarily only about photojournalism or videojournalism, it is also about being able to update a Facebook status or able to tweet using Twitter anything that comes to mind. This purposes a problem to journalists who enjoy using social networking sites like these because they may use it as a form of getting news out, which is not a credible way to do so, and accidentally give out the false information. Even though people are considered amateur journalists, the problem is that they do not see the line between what is ethically right and what is ethically wrong.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Fabricating Stories in the Media
In the past few weeks our Media Ethics class has been talking a lot about privacy issues and how news stories can be fabricated. I find it appalling how any journalist or news station can fabricate a story whether it is full fabrication or slight. The issue here is that a news team must be able to give their readers or viewers the truth and try not to be biased about it. Yes it is difficult to not be biased on any given topic, but one can make an effort to bring out both sides to one story. Within the last few weeks we watched a video that illustrated the implications one will give to have a news story “scrapped” or altered. In this video “Fox News Monsanto” two journalists, working for Fox news, were pretty much denied their right to publish a truthful story to the public and had their jobs threatened by the company for pushing publications. After speaking about the altercation with the company, they were bribed to “scrap” their story and to keep their mouths sealed. Upon receiving a contract for said bribe the journalists pursued legal action and received their right to publish their article after over 80 “adjustments”.
Upon hearing that, it disgusted me to see the extent of which people will go to keep a story from the public’s attention. This story, in particular, is about the negative effects of Bobine Growth Hormone, which is injected into cows, has on us through the consumption of milk. To keep such a story from the public’s attention is completely unethical. This hormone has caused sickness and even death/cancer. If there is something in our market that is causing death/cancer that society consumes almost every day, it is wise and completely ethical to raise attention and put a stop to the injection of cows.
I find it interesting that news stations, in general, set out to make the public believe that their news is unbiased and true, while completely contradicting their image and altering some news stories. Obviously the issue here is that there aren’t many people who will stand up to a large corporation in fear of defeat. I did learn that once you have the right resources and timing, you can achieve and overcome a large corporation to do what is ethically right, you just have to be patient.
Upon hearing that, it disgusted me to see the extent of which people will go to keep a story from the public’s attention. This story, in particular, is about the negative effects of Bobine Growth Hormone, which is injected into cows, has on us through the consumption of milk. To keep such a story from the public’s attention is completely unethical. This hormone has caused sickness and even death/cancer. If there is something in our market that is causing death/cancer that society consumes almost every day, it is wise and completely ethical to raise attention and put a stop to the injection of cows.
I find it interesting that news stations, in general, set out to make the public believe that their news is unbiased and true, while completely contradicting their image and altering some news stories. Obviously the issue here is that there aren’t many people who will stand up to a large corporation in fear of defeat. I did learn that once you have the right resources and timing, you can achieve and overcome a large corporation to do what is ethically right, you just have to be patient.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
PR Ethics (Tylenol)
Decades ago Tylenol ran into a huge problem, someone had tampered their medicine and added cyanide to their capsules. This situation significantly harmed their consumers causing several deaths. Due to this unfortunate event, Tylenol had to publicize what was occurring and demand a recall of their products, causing a cost of $100 million to the company. James Burke, CEO, quickly took initiative and worked with media to help cushion the blow.
The obvious issue in this case is that Tylenol is a huge company that has worked hard and long to build its credibility and a loyal consumer base. A blow like this is enough to lose a significant amount of consumer loyalty, considering the results of this incident. I respect the fact that company quickly publicised the incident themselves, before the press was able to blow it out of proportion. In doing so Tylenol maintained their hard earned respect, if not increased it and, in turn, was able to create a new “technology” which ensures that it is tamper-safe. I found this situation interesting because not many companies will have the “guts” to stand before their public and openly admit that there is a default in their product, right away, especially when they have so much to lose. The way this situation was handled was completely professional and sly. Seeing that Tylenol was able to preserve their credibility and most of their loyal consumers as well as able to take some attention off the company and put forth a new situation, a $100,000 reward to find the culprit.
I’ve learned that, though admitting to your problem is difficult and may seem ethical in the moment, due to the fear of the resulted consequences. The truth is that admitting to your problems is the most ethical thing to do, no matter what consequences may lay ahead. I will keep in mind that though the consequences in admitting to the problem may seem harsh, in admitting to a specified problem will aid in cushioning the blow.
The obvious issue in this case is that Tylenol is a huge company that has worked hard and long to build its credibility and a loyal consumer base. A blow like this is enough to lose a significant amount of consumer loyalty, considering the results of this incident. I respect the fact that company quickly publicised the incident themselves, before the press was able to blow it out of proportion. In doing so Tylenol maintained their hard earned respect, if not increased it and, in turn, was able to create a new “technology” which ensures that it is tamper-safe. I found this situation interesting because not many companies will have the “guts” to stand before their public and openly admit that there is a default in their product, right away, especially when they have so much to lose. The way this situation was handled was completely professional and sly. Seeing that Tylenol was able to preserve their credibility and most of their loyal consumers as well as able to take some attention off the company and put forth a new situation, a $100,000 reward to find the culprit.
I’ve learned that, though admitting to your problem is difficult and may seem ethical in the moment, due to the fear of the resulted consequences. The truth is that admitting to your problems is the most ethical thing to do, no matter what consequences may lay ahead. I will keep in mind that though the consequences in admitting to the problem may seem harsh, in admitting to a specified problem will aid in cushioning the blow.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Advertising Ethics
It is debated that the act of ethical thinking is taught rather than being born with it. I personally believe that we are both born with it and taught how to use it through the duration of our lives. Ethical thinking varies from person to person, as discussed in class, due to the different societies and cultures that we’ve been brought up in. Though it may vary, there are many ethical thoughts many of us have in common.
In the advertising society there are many different types of ethics. The ethics I used are the “Standards of Practice”. Within these “Standards of Practice” there are five main ethics that advertisers follow. There advertisements must not contain (1) false or misleading statements, (2) inaccurate testimonials, (3) misleading price claims, (4) insufficient claims and (5) offensive material. The reason that I have chosen these five (and why I like this certain code of) ethics is because I believe they are the most important aspects of advertising’s code of ethics. They illustrate terms that are universally and legally ethical. I think the most important aspects of the code of ethics are that every human is able to acknowledge that what is ethical to them may not be ethical others; and they should respect that. In understanding what is universally seen as ethical and understanding various different country’s/culture’s different ethical views there may be less debate.
With that said, it is extremely important that advertisers understand their market through extensive research to assure they do not use/portray anything that is seen as unethical in a certain society. In following these steps thoroughly, advertisements should not be seen as completely unethical, especially with the proper research done. One must understand that is extremely hard to create an advertisement that is seen as completely unethical because, as I stated before, what is seen as ethical and unethical varies from person to person, city to city, culture to culture and country to country. Currently there is nothing that I do not like about this code of ethics because there is nothing I can find that can be seen as unethical. Keeping in mind that market research is done thoroughly and it is advertised properly.
The link I have chosen to write my blog on is http://www.ehow.com/about_6538990_code-ethics-advertising.html. I chose this link because it has illustrated an effort to help regulate advertising and hold advertising agencies to equal and ethical standards (Chevere, G., 2010). It also lists, defines and explains the five Standards of Practice each agency must follow within their advertisements (Chevere, G.).
Reference:
Chevere, G. (2010). Code of Ethics for Advertising. Retrieved September, 28, 2010, from http://www.ehow.com/about_6538990_code-ethics-advertising.html.
In the advertising society there are many different types of ethics. The ethics I used are the “Standards of Practice”. Within these “Standards of Practice” there are five main ethics that advertisers follow. There advertisements must not contain (1) false or misleading statements, (2) inaccurate testimonials, (3) misleading price claims, (4) insufficient claims and (5) offensive material. The reason that I have chosen these five (and why I like this certain code of) ethics is because I believe they are the most important aspects of advertising’s code of ethics. They illustrate terms that are universally and legally ethical. I think the most important aspects of the code of ethics are that every human is able to acknowledge that what is ethical to them may not be ethical others; and they should respect that. In understanding what is universally seen as ethical and understanding various different country’s/culture’s different ethical views there may be less debate.
With that said, it is extremely important that advertisers understand their market through extensive research to assure they do not use/portray anything that is seen as unethical in a certain society. In following these steps thoroughly, advertisements should not be seen as completely unethical, especially with the proper research done. One must understand that is extremely hard to create an advertisement that is seen as completely unethical because, as I stated before, what is seen as ethical and unethical varies from person to person, city to city, culture to culture and country to country. Currently there is nothing that I do not like about this code of ethics because there is nothing I can find that can be seen as unethical. Keeping in mind that market research is done thoroughly and it is advertised properly.
The link I have chosen to write my blog on is http://www.ehow.com/about_6538990_code-ethics-advertising.html. I chose this link because it has illustrated an effort to help regulate advertising and hold advertising agencies to equal and ethical standards (Chevere, G., 2010). It also lists, defines and explains the five Standards of Practice each agency must follow within their advertisements (Chevere, G.).
Reference:
Chevere, G. (2010). Code of Ethics for Advertising. Retrieved September, 28, 2010, from http://www.ehow.com/about_6538990_code-ethics-advertising.html.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)