Concept: Media Ethics in the Digital Age

Photo: Robert Scoble

By John V. Pavlik

John Pavlik provides one of the first extensive guides to the ethics of the digital media, discussing errors of commission and omission while covering a new field of enormous breath and importance.

Concept: Is a Global Media Ethics Realistic?

Photo: Toastyken

By Stephen J. A. Ward

Stephen Ward argues that a global media ethics is essential for an interconnected world—and that it can and should be very different from the ethics of traditional and more localized, media. 

Honoring John Calhoun Merrill

• Introduction

   By John M. Kittross    …

• John Merrill: The Philosopher

   By Clifford Christians    …

• John Calhoun Merrill: A Legacy of Wisdom

  By Peter Gade and A. David Gordon   …

• Some Questions without Answers and Answers without Questions

  By John C. Merrill    …

• On the Shoulders of Giants: John Calhoun Merrill

  By A. David Gordon    …

Concept: 50 Shades of Gray… in Newspaper Accuracy

Photo: Terri Ogan

By Kirstie E. Hettinga

Kirstie Hettinga argues that there are many shades of gray between the black of absolute falsehood or error and the white of absolute truth…whatever that may be.

Concept: Pitching the Baby, Keeping the Bathwater: The Removal of Moral Absolutes

Photo: arboresce

By Ryan P. Whitson

Ryan Whitson asks: Can we justify substituting relativistic or situational ethics for absolute moral laws or standards?

Concept: John Coltrane: Philosopher, Theologian, Media Ethicist

Photo: jayneandd

By Rocco Gangle

The audio media have always used the emotional impact of music for communication—but Rocco Gangle argues that John Coltrane is among the few musicians considering their ethical responsibilities.

Case: Great Television or News Schadenfreude?

Photo: West Midland Police

By William R. Davie

When a TV anchor was caught driving under the influence of alcohol, William R. Davie reports how her station, and the other stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, handled the story. 

Case: A Quick Look at Recent Practices and the Ethics of Blog Aggregation

Photo: Tom Rafferty 

By Peter Joseph Gloviczki

Peter Joseph Gloviczki analyses the selection criteria used by one of the newest media professional products: the blog aggregator. 

Case: Harriet Beecher Stowe and a Media Equivalent of War

Photo: Cliff1066

By Kenneth Harwood

Did Stowe’s popular novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, actually start the Civil War? Kenneth Harwood explores that possibility.

Case: "Instigative" Reporting

Photo: Wonderlane

By Kheven LaGrone

Because reporters are human, there may be what Kheven LaGrone describes as reporting with a social, political or economic purpose. In this case, the local newspaper in Oakland, CA took sides.

Case: Ten Years of Watching "Falling Man"

Photo: 9/11 photos

By Sara E. Quay and Amy M. Damico

Photos of those who jumped or fell on 9/11/01 rather than burn to death were handled differently by the media over time.  Sara Quay and Amy Damico wonder if this reflects American culture or the effects of the event?  

Case: Getting to 'I Do'

Photo: Seattle Times

 By Kate Riley

In 2012,The Seattle Times supported for a referendum favoring same-sex marriage—reversing its earlier stand.  Kate Riley, editorial page editor, tells us how and why the paper changed its mind. 

Speed Kills: CNN's Ethical Missteps Covering SCOTUS Obamacare Decision

Photo: a2gemma

 By Kate Riley

When the Supreme Court decided the constitutionality of "Obamacare," the media were ready. CNN and Fox News went beyond readiness to "jumping the gun"—and getting the decision wrong.

Case: "Get it First and/or Get it Right" in Years Past

Photo: a2gemma

 By Jerry Schwartz

Starting with the 2012 situation, Jerry Schwartz reminds us of both older and newer cases of similar error, concentrating on UP’s "instinct for speed" in the 1935 Hauptmann kidnapping trial.  

Teaching: Learning to Work with Truths and Lies

Photo: Baslow

 By Raymond Fielding

 Those starting careers in the mass media must learn how to deal with both truths and lies.  Raymond Fielding discusses some ways of thinking—or, perhaps, not thinking—about this.

Teaching: Stupid Student Tricks in Media Ethics Arena

Photo: nouche82

 By Coke Ellington

Unlike many of his colleagues who also suffer from “stupid student tricks” like plagiarism to receive higher grades, Coke Ellington tells us about some he has recently experienced.  

Ethicalia: A Compendium of Global Ethical Minutiae

By Manny Paraschos