Moral reasoning for journalists : cases and commentary / [print]
Steven R. Knowlton.
- Westport, Connecticut : Praeger, (c)1997.
- xii, 220 pages ; 25 cm.
Introduction to ethical thinking -- The political case for moral reasoning in journalism -- The philosophical case for moral reasoning in journalism -- The economic case for moral reasoning in journalism -- Objectivity : is it possible? Should we still try? -- Privacy : how to balance it against the right to know -- How to solve moral dilemmas : balancing competing elements -- The suicide of Admiral Boorda : did the press hound him to his death? -- The haunting profile of Meir Kahane : should past sins be emphasized? -- A candidate's past : news, political manipulation or mere pandering? -- Peeking at Tonya Harding's e-mail : serious invasion or trivial excess? -- Central Park assault victim : we know everything but who she is -- The brilliant student with the dark past : how much is relevant? -- Sex in an elevator : legitimate news or sophomoric titillation? -- Suicide : important news or a grotesque invasion of privacy? -- Unnamed accusers : sex, abuse of power, and an election, too -- In politics, how far back is it fair to go? -- When the law asks for help : what is an independent journalist to do? -- The graffiti artists : turn 'em in, get the story, or both? -- Connie Chung : did she sandbag the new speaker's mom? -- Primary authorship : can you lie about your other job? -- A reporter with AIDS : depth of understanding or obvious bias? -- How close is too close when the subject is a scared little girl? -- The exploding truck : if it doesn't have pictures, it's not good TV -- Should TV cameras record an execution? -- Tears on tape : why must we film grief? -- How real is the wall between advertising and the news side? -- The 'revisionist' ads on the Holocaust : what should student editors do? -- Speaking fees : honest moonlighting or an invitation to corruption? -- Celebrity interviews : is there real news amidst the puff? -- A Lorena Bobbitt update : paint my nails, answer my questions -- Ruth Snyder : still dead, but her picture is mainstream -- Composite pictures : new possibilities or just more credibility trouble? -- The grisly war photo : powerful information, but what about taste? -- Taking journalism hostage : should we print under threats? -- Can we fix the problems? Should we try?
This up-to-date collection of more than two dozen real-life cases illustrates the moral issues facing contemporary American journalists. It will help students hone their reasoning skills, encouraging them to think rationally and act with integrity.