13: Basic Law and Ethics of Media Writing
- Page ID
- 247611
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- Recognize and understand essential media law terms
- Become familiar with key media ethics debates as introduced by case studies
Large portions of this chapter are remixed, revised, and amended from Writing for Strategic Communication Industries, https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/stratcommwriting/
Media law and the study of mass media ethics form the backbone of responsible, professional journalism and content creation practice. Together, they set the standards and boundaries for what media professionals can and should do in their work. While the law dictates what media professionals can do, ethics asks what they should do. Media law provides the legal framework that governs content. It defines what is permissible in reporting, advertising, broadcasting, and digital communication. It safeguards freedoms such as the freedom of speech and of the press while also protecting individual rights to privacy and reputation.
Media ethics, on the other hand, refers to the moral responsibilities that through centuries of study and practice, professionals in the field of publishing and mass media have learned are essential for fostering a functioning society as well as a fully functioning industry.
Professional writers and publishers have long recognized the moral duties we owe to the public, to the subjects of our stories, and to the truth. Studying and maintaining ethical principles is meant to help ensure that the mass media system serves as a reliable, fair, and accurate source of information, even when professionals are faced with difficult or controversial subjects.
The ethical failures in society reflected in the mass media should not be confused with a lack of professional ethics on the part of media professionals. That said, when media professionals prioritize a performative type of ethical balance that ignores our moral duties to our audiences and to the truth, journalists and other media professionals can contribute to the moral and ethical collapse of social norms. Protecting revenues and profits in a capitalist media system is not an inherent ethical good.
In today’s rapidly evolving media environment, understanding both the legal and ethical aspects of media work is crucial. The laws that govern media practices vary from nation-state to nation-state and are continuously adapting to address new challenges including the prevalence and power of misinformation, digital privacy, and the impacts of social media on society. Ethical standards also evolve to address dilemmas unique to digital media, such as transparency in news reporting, protecting sources’ privacy, and minimizing harm.
This chapter introduces key principles of media law and ethics. It is intended to help students understand how to navigate the legal requirements and moral obligations of media work. By understanding key terms and examining real-world case studies involving current issues, students will learn to critically evaluate their responsibilities in both legal and ethical contexts. It is expected that students will take a further course or courses in media law and ethics. Combined with the concepts introduced here, this knowledge should prepare them to make informed, responsible decisions in a profession that affords for massive influence over public perception and opinion.