Ethics

When: Week 8
What: Lecture 8
Who: Dr. John Harrison

This week's lecture was taught by Dr. John Harrison and was solely about Ethics. I am quite honoured to have been taught by Dr. John Harrison because his knowledge of Ethics is phenomenal. This week's lecture was my favourite lecture, so far this semester. Dr. John Harrison is an extraordinary teacher. His lecture was fun, engaging and even funny at times. 

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Dr. John Harrison began the lecture with a decision making activity. My peers and I were shown a slideshow displaying ten advertisements and we were told to decide whether the advertisements are ethical, unethical, good taste and bad taste. 

I was quite surprised by the results as a vast amount of the commercials that I deemed as unethical were seen as ethical by others. I was somewhat offended by a statement that was made in the tenth and final commercial. The commercial was written, directed and filmed by Dr. Bruce Redman and was titled "Flamin' Fool". 

The doctor in the "Flamin' Fool" commercial stated:

This statement upset me, as I have undergone numerous operations and all of which have marked body with large scars. I understand that the concept of the commercial is to make people understand that pouring fuel on fires is dangerous and can sometimes result in burns and scars, but to some people scars are an uncontrollable part of life. I respect my tutors and lecturers immensely, but I believe that the "Flamin' Fool" commercial was ethical but was of bad taste. 

RSPCA Commercial

I believe that the following "RSPCA" commercial is ethical and is of good taste. 

Burger King Advertisement

I believe that the following "Burger King" advertisement is unethical and is of bad taste. 

The Three Paradigms of Ethics

During the lecture, Dr. John Harrison described three paradigms of ethics that a person uses to decide what is ethical or unethical, good or bad and right from wrong. This is what they are:

• Deontology
• Consequentialism (aka Teleology)
• Virtue

Deontology

Deontological ethics are based around rules, principals and duties. When it comes to ethics in journalism and communications, there are a vast range of rules, principals and duties that a person in the profession has to adhere to. In the journalism profession, some of the principals include accuracy, truthfulness and objectivity, just to name a few. Deontological ethics are formed by and imbedded in the various journalistic codes of ethics.

Consequentialism

Another paradigm of ethics is consequentialism. During the lecture, Dr. John Harrison described consequentialism as when the end justifies the means. In journalism, this could mean that it doesn't matter how the journalist acquires information, as long as the journalist acquires the information that they need.

Virtue

Virtue ethics differentiate from deontology and consequentialism immensely. Dr. John Harrison stated during the lecture that virtue ethics are about "intrinsic values". He also described intrinsic values, as the values that drive the way a person lives their life and the values that drive a person's work practices.

Dr. John Harrison stated that he prefers journalists who are driven by intrinsic values over those who practice deontology and consequentialism. A person who is driven by ethics or intrinsic value, is a person who has good character and is a person who is driven by courage, justice, temperance and prudence. 

What Codes are There?