Runs November 17, 2014 – December 22, 2014, with self-paced availability through February 16, 2015

This course will introduce participants to issues and concepts around the topic of ethical communication in media. Participants will examine social media and new technologies that influence ethical journalism. Lessons and course materials include evaluation of important ethical conflicts in the media.

News media around the globe must balance a shared goal of providing truthful accounts for citizens with the pressures constantly applied by governments, business, religion and other social forces. A vocabulary and consensus about ethics has emerged in the past half century in countries relatively free of government control to guide news organizations in that balancing act. This course examines the idea of ethical communication, considers the pressures on ethical journalism because of social media and new technologies and places three important ethical conflicts in its spotlight: How can the truth be gathered and shared in rapidly changing circumstances? How can the news media honor fairness and justice when social forces challenge that goal? Can an institution that feeds on violence also play a role in minimizing harm?

Course Objectives:

identify an ethical dilemma, describe the choices faced by the moral agent, and explain the moral implications of each choice;

apply key concepts of truthfulness, fairness, respect, autonomy, integrity, and transparency in resolving a dilemma;

evaluate ethical decisions in class forums, drawing on a careful analysis that takes into account levels of fact and historical and social context; and

show how new and evolving forms of technology affect ethical considerations.

NOTE: The first five weeks of the course will be led by the instructor, after which enrollees can access all content and self-direct their learning through the course.