What are ethics? Why does ethical journalism matter? How do ethics affect good journalism? Ethics and Journalism provides a comprehensive overview of the main approaches to ethical enquiry in Western journalism. It examines the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in all areas of the media and sets out ways of achieving ethical journalism. Ethics and Journalism: Explores such subjects as: private lives and the public interest, relations to sources and coverage of death, disease and destruction; Examines the role of regulation and self-regulation of the media industry; Discusses strategies of good journalism; Thoroughly examines the role of industry codes. Ethics and Journalism is informed by interviews with top journalists and editors and is written in a clear and accessible style. It includes an exhaustive bibliography as well as an excellent list of relevant web-sites. It will be essential reading for all journalism, media and politics students studying journalism and ethics, as well as for those who already work in the media and are interested in understanding ethical issues.

Ethics and Journalism?

Ethics and journalism?

A reporter is ‘a man without virtue who writes lies … for his profit.’

Dr Samuel Johnson

The Reporting Bestiary: Watchdogs, Vultures and Gadflys

In polls conducted in 1993 estate agents received the lowest rating in British public esteem; journalists were just above them. And yet the lure of a career in the media is stronger than ever. Reporters repel and attract; they are the twenty-first century equivalent of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the ‘hack’ for whom, in the words of foreign correspondent, Nicholas Tomalin, the only necessary qualifications are ‘a plausible manner, rat-like cunning and a little literary ability (26 October, 1969).’

Little trusted, little loved (but often secretly admired), the reporter is seen as the cynical, ruthless figure parodied in the ...

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