With the availability of seemingly endless information on the internet, concerns arise regarding the accuracy and presentation of information. In today’s world, questions exist about the role of mass media, social network platforms, and news outlets.<\/p>\n
Faculty at NAU’s School of Communication, Department of English, Department of Psychology, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and many others work to improve society’s dissemination of information to ensure that is it accurate and fairly portrayed.<\/p>\n
From the Voice of Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n I have been on the end of a phone call from the wife of an exposed corrupt politician who said her children couldn’t go to school out of embarrassment and fear of ridicule and that she felt she could not face her friends. What are the ethical implications of the “collateral damage” that can be done when a negative story is run? Many journalists avoid the question altogether, saying that democracy and journalism are messy and that\u2019s just the way it goes.<\/p>\n While the truth is the truth, it doesn\u2019t need to be told with total disregard for consequences, even when they are entirely unintended. While the outcome may not change, the process of conscientiously considering consequences should figure into the editorial arithmetic.<\/p>\n Many years ago, my newspaper ran a story about a school district employee who had embezzled funds. Years later, after she\u2019d paid the penalty for her wrongdoing, the school district hired her back, albeit in a position that didn\u2019t deal with school district funds. The newsroom ran a front-page story with a headline that read, \u201cSchool District Re-hires Thief.\u201d<\/p>\n I received a call from a very angry school district superintendent.\u00a0 Among other things, he said they tried to teach students in the district about new beginnings and that no person, young or old, should be defined by the worst thing they had ever done. He was particularly offended by the headline characterizing her as a thief, as though that was an accurate portrayal of the essence of this person. \u00a0The discussion I had with our editor about the phone call was entirely unsatisfying. He maintained that the headline was thoroughly appropriate.\u00a0 This person had stolen.\u00a0 That made her, by definition, a thief.\u00a0 The headline was true and factual, and that\u2019s all that mattered.\u00a0 Our discussion went on for some time, ending in nothing close to a meeting of the minds.<\/p>\n Facts do matter.\u00a0 The truth matters.\u00a0 Tone and context matter. People matter. And while some journalists would like to avoid thinking about the impact of their words on everyone involved, they must do so if they are to really claim the higher ethical ground.<\/p>\n\n
Communication and Mass Media Ethics Codes Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n