"This book makes the case for the news media to take the lead in combatting key threats to American society including racial injustice, economic disparity, and climate change by adopting an ""ethics of care"" in reporting practices.
Examining how traditional news coverage of race, economics and climate change has been dedicated to straightforward facts, the author asserts that journalism should now respond to societal needs by adopting a moral philosophy of the ""ethics of care,"" opening the door to empathetic yet factual and fair coverage of news events, with a goal to move public opinion to the point that politicians are persuaded to take effective action. The book charts a clear path for how this style of ethics can be applied by today’s journalists, tracing the emergence of this empathy-based ethics from feminist philosophy in the 1980s. It ultimately urges ethical news organizations to adopt the ethics of care, based on the human emotion prioritized by Scottish Enlightenment philosopher David Hume, and to pursue a more pro-active, solutions-seeking coverage of current events.
This is an invaluable text for students and academics in the fields of journalism ethics, media ethics and media law, as well as for media professionals looking for a fresh perspective on practicing ethical journalism."
By:
Joe Mathewson
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Weight: 340g
ISBN: 9780367690779
ISBN 10: 0367690772
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 31 August 2021
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
,
Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction Section I: This is unacceptable Chapter 1: 20th-century Journalism Ethics Were Good for America, But No Longer Suffice Chapter 2: Racial inequity is still pervasive and ominous Chapter 3: Economic Disparity Grows and Grows Chapter 4: Climate Change Advances on Us Chapter 5: Democracy Itself Hangs in the Balance Chapter 6: Politicians today won’t compromise, producing government gridlock Section II: Discomfiting Realities Are Also Opportunities Chapter 7: The Ethics of Care Nicely Complements Existing Codes of Ethics Chapter 8: Current Codes of Ethics Render High Professional Standards That Endure, and Should Chapter 9: The Bright Side of the Financial Pressure on the Media Chapter 10: Not-for-profit Journalism Makes Sense (if not money) Section III: The Road to Success Redefined Chapter 11: Ethical Media Continue to Drive Public Discourse Chapter 12: Coverage of Conscience Coincides With Journalists’ Motivations Chapter 13: The Caring Newsroom - Diverse, Purposeful, Committed to Results Conclusion Appendix Bibliography Index
Joe Mathewson covered the Supreme Court for The Wall Street Journal and practiced law in Chicago. Since 1997, he has taught business journalism and journalism law and ethics at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University. He’s the author of Law and Ethics for Today’s Journalist: A Quick Guide (Routledge) and The Supreme Court and the Press: The Indispensable Conflict.
