The pattern of criticisms of the press over the decades underscores the problems caused by the absence of universal ethical standards. Situation ethics, or ?adhocracies,?; are an insufficient moral compass to guide a fast?paced, technologically?drive, bottom?line oriented industry. It is suggested that journalists take a lesson from Aristotle, who argued for practical experience and theoretical substance. Aristotle's ?moral mean?; is recommended as a moral compass that will serve journalists who seek to be virtuous and avoid both defective and excessive practices. (...) Several instances in which the ?moral mean?; should prove especially useful are outlined. (shrink)

In this study the author argues that public relations practitioners must not ignore the public interest even though the term has been the subject of vigorous debate within both academic and professional circles. The author maintains - not-withstanding the controversy - that the public interest is intrinsic to the very definition of what it is public relations people do. He suggests the solution to the definitional problem rests in first formulating an abstract (general) definition, then moving to the operational level.

This research essay explores the ethical implications of the stewardship metaphor for journalists. A three?part examination of stewardship is undertaken: a philological survey of the Greek vocabularly, from which ?oikonomia?; (stewardship) has arisen; an elaboration of four ethical implications for journalist (journalists? incentive to serve, their delivery but not ownership of messages, their ambiguous authority, and their need for professional discipline); and two critical issues arising from the sterwardship metaphor (to define the master of the journalistic house as the long?term (...) public interest, and not the news media owners, and to define ?good stewardship as journalism that is contextually intelligible and socially constructive). The essay was written for a seminar taught by Dr. Edmund Lambeth. (shrink)

This paper focuses on the ethical and moral implications of findings from the authors? national survey of television news directors? policies, practices, and perceptions of good/bad news. In light of the potentially negative effects of excessive amounts of bad news on individuals and society, the authors ask whether television journalists have an ethical responsibility?beyond legal constraints and professional criteria?in the selection and presentation of bad news and good news. An earlier version of this paper, detailing the findings of the survey, (...) was presented to the Radio?TV Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication in August, 1986. (shrink)