Journalistic Ethics: Moral Responsibility in the Media examines the moral rights and responsibilities of journalists to provide what Dale Jacquette calls "truth telling in the public interest." With 31 case studies from contemporary journalistic practice, the book demonstrates the immediate practical implications of ethics for working journalists as well as for those who read or watch the news. This case-study approach is paired with a theoretical grounding, and issues include freedom of the press, censorship and withholding sensitive information for the greater public good, protection of confidential sources, journalistic respect for privacy, objectivity, perspective and bias, and editorial license and its obligations. This is a book for anyone who now works in journalism, or is considering a career as a journalist. It is also important groundwork for everyone who follows the day's events in newspapers, radio, television, or on the internet.

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION: WHAT JOURNALISTS DO

1. TRUTH TELLING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

2. JOURNALISTIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3. MORAL IDEALS ANDWORKADAY JOURNALISTIC REALITIES

4. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

5. CENSORSHIP AND WITHHOLDING INFORMATION FOR THE GREATER GOOD

6. PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES

7. JOURNALISTIC RESPECT FOR PRIVACY

8. OBJECTIVITY, PERSPECTIVE, AND BIAS

9. EDITORIAL LICENSE AND OBLIGATIONS

Afterword

JOURNALISM AS A FORCE FOR SOCIAL GOOD

Appendices

1: SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS-CODE OF ETHICS 282

2: INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JOURNALISTS-DECLARATION OFPRINCIPLES ON THE CONDUCT OF JOURNALISTS 285

3: ETHICS CODE: ASSOCIATED PRESS MANAGING EDITORS 287

4: CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THERADIO-TELEVISION NEWS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION 290