Mass Comm Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Communication: Ethical Principles and Professionalism 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which scenario represents a violation of the ethical principle of independence in journalism?
- A reporter covering a story that involves a company that advertises in their publication without disclosure
- A reporter writing an opinion column clearly labeled as such
- A news organization endorsing a political candidate on its editorial page
- A journalist accepting a press junket paid for by the subject of their story (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A journalist accepting a press junket paid for by the subject of their story
Accepting travel or expenses from a story subject creates a financial relationship that compromises the journalist's independence and objectivity.
Question 2: The ethical duty to 'seek truth and report it' most directly conflicts with which situation?
- Publishing unverified information to beat a competitor (Correct answer)
- Balancing competing sources with equal space
- Correcting a minor factual error after publication
- Interviewing both sides of a controversial story
Correct answer: Publishing unverified information to beat a competitor
Publishing unverified claims to win a competitive race violates the foundational ethical duty to verify information before dissemination.
Question 3: A student journalist interviews a minor who is a crime victim without parental consent. This raises concerns about:
- FERPA violations and academic misconduct
- Protection of vulnerable sources and informed consent (Correct answer)
- The first amendment limits on student press
- Defamation liability
Correct answer: Protection of vulnerable sources and informed consent
Minors and crime victims are considered vulnerable populations requiring additional ethical safeguards including informed consent and consideration of potential harm.
Question 4: In communication ethics, 'moral relativism' holds that:
- Universal ethical standards apply across all cultures
- Ethical standards are determined by cultural context and may vary (Correct answer)
- Only legal standards define ethical communication
- Professional codes always override personal moral beliefs
Correct answer: Ethical standards are determined by cultural context and may vary
Moral relativism is the view that ethical standards are not universal but are defined by cultural, historical, or individual context.
Question 5: A documentary filmmaker recreates historical events using actors without informing viewers. This practice raises ethical concerns about:
- Copyright infringement
- Failing to distinguish between fact and dramatization (Correct answer)
- Defamation of historical figures
- Unauthorized use of archival footage
Correct answer: Failing to distinguish between fact and dramatization
Presenting dramatized recreations without disclosure can mislead audiences into believing staged scenes are authentic documentary footage.
Question 6: Under the PRSA Code of Ethics, what is the primary obligation of a public relations professional when a client asks them to hide information from the public?
- Comply if the information is not legally required to be disclosed
- Refuse and, if necessary, resign the account rather than deceive the public (Correct answer)
- Disclose the information to competitors instead
- Refer the matter to legal counsel only
Correct answer: Refuse and, if necessary, resign the account rather than deceive the public
PRSA ethics require practitioners to refuse deceptive practices and, if a client insists, to resign rather than participate in public deception.
Question 7: Which term describes the ethical obligation of journalists to represent diverse communities and perspectives in their reporting?
- Pluralism
- Representational equity (Correct answer)
- Affirmative sourcing
- Demographic balance
Correct answer: Representational equity
Representational equity is the ethical principle requiring that journalism reflect the full diversity of communities rather than centering dominant or majority perspectives.
Mass Comm Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Communication: Ethical Principles and Professionalism 4
Which scenario represents a violation of the ethical principle of independence in journalism?