Media ethics refers to the application of moral principles and values to the conduct and content of various media outlets. This broad field covers many aspects, including journalism ethics, which deals with issues like news manipulation, truth, public interest, and privacy[2]. Media ethics also encompasses marketing ethics[1], and addresses key areas such as impartiality, objectivity, and privacy. Ethical considerations extend to different media platforms, including the responsible use of freedom of speech in online journalism, with a focus on issues like commercial pressures, accuracy, and credibility. Furthermore, media ethics highlights the media’s crucial role in democracy and integrity, underlining the need for transparency, independence from private or political interests, and a commitment to journalism ethics. Hence, media ethics plays a pivotal role in maintaining a responsible and accountable media landscape.
This article possibly contains original research. (July 2015) |
Media ethics is the subdivision dealing with the specific ethical principles and standards of media, including broadcast media, film, theatre, the doctor, print media and the internet. The field covers many varied and highly controversial topics, ranging from war journalism to Benetton ad campaigns.
Media ethics promotes and defends values such as a universal respect for life and the rule of law and legality. Media Ethics defines and deals with ethical questions about how media should use texts and pictures provided by the citizens.
Literature regarding the ways in which specifically the Internet impacts media ethics in journalism online is scarce, thereby complicating the idea for a universal code of media ethics.