The Media & Morality

From the blaming of Princess Diana's death on news photographers to the public apology by CNN over its erroneous Vietnam-nerve-gas story, journalism and the American media in general are being placed under the microscope. The media-now more powerful than ever before due to computer advances, cable television, and the internet-controls our opinions, tastes, and, as some would have us believe, our actions.

But has the media shed its ethics and gotten completely out of control? Has the quest to get the big scoop crippled the news media into believing "first" is better than factual? To whom is the media responsible-the public, the stockholders, the advertisers? Who decides what may "harm" an audience or what is unsuitable for children? Who, if anyone, should regulate the media? How do political agendas play into censorship (the FCC) and funding of the media?

These questions and more are probed in The Media and Morality, a wide-ranging selection of important essays that explores relationships between the media and its diverse audiences, its sponsors, stockholders, governments, and others. The authors attempt to define the obligations of the media in these relationships as well as the risks, benefits, and limits.
In addition to providing up-to-date commentary and opinion on the latest controversial and precedent-setting journalistic developments, this book will help readers toward an ethical analysis of the media in the Information Age.

Being first with a major news story drives the media to inform the public. But what limits, if any, can or should be placed on the media's vital role when their need to attract readers, listeners, or viewers compels them to jeopardize people's freedom (Richard Jewell), privacy (President Clinton and other public figures), and even personal safety (Princess Diana) in their rush to get the scoop, sell newspapers and magazines, and increase viewer numbers? To whom are the media responsible - the public, the stockholders, the advertisers? Who decides what may "harm" an audience or what is unsuitable for children? How do political agendas affect censorship and media profits? Are radical new media standards needed in light of increasing numbers of big stories based on bad reporting and lax research? These and other questions are probed in this wide-ranging selection of essays that explores the relationships between the media and their diverse audiences, sponsors, corporate owners, governments, and others.