Lecture 5

Lecture 5 emphasised the significance of ethics in journalism.

It is important to consider the distnction between

• good taste and bad taste
• ethical and unethical
• right and wrong

Three main ethical theories are deontology, consequentialism and virtue ethics.

Deontology

Based upon -

• rules
• principles
• duties

All ethical codes are deontological, such as the Journalism Code of Practice.


Consequentialism

• places precedence on getting the 'good' or 'right' outcome
• the end may justify the means
• utilitarian perspective - 'the greatest good for the greatest number'

Virtue Ethics

• focused on 'goodness', e.g. good habits, good dispositions of character
• good habits are considered 'virtues', such as courage, justice, temperance and prudence
• these habits of character are the 'golden mean' of behaviour

This lecture reminded me of a youtube video I was shown in highschool, which provides a great, entertaining three minute summary of consequentialism and deontology in particular.

(Please ignore some of the questionable language and even more questionable beginning)

Three Minute Philosophy: Deontology