Mass Comm Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Communication: Ethical Principles and Professionalism 5

Question 1

A news anchor reads sponsored content on air without identifying it as paid advertising. This violates FCC rules against:

Accepted Answer

Payola and plugola

Answer

Payola (undisclosed payments for airing music) and plugola (undisclosed promotion of products) are illegal under FCC broadcasting rules.

Question 2

The 'watchdog' role of journalism is ethically grounded in the idea that:

Accepted Answer

A free press serves democracy by holding powerful institutions accountable

Answer

The watchdog function of the press is ethically justified by journalism's democratic role in exposing abuses of power that citizens cannot monitor themselves.

Question 3

A PR firm creates a 'grassroots' advocacy campaign that is actually funded by a corporation. This deceptive practice is known as:

Accepted Answer

Astroturfing

Answer

Astroturfing is the practice of simulating grassroots public support for a cause or position that is actually organized and funded by corporate or political interests.

Question 4

When applying virtue ethics to communication, what question should a professional primarily ask?

Accepted Answer

What would a person of good character do in this situation?

Answer

Virtue ethics focuses on the character and motivations of the moral agent rather than rules or consequences, asking what a virtuous professional would do.

Question 5

A media outlet publishes a story based on a single unnamed source. The primary ethical problem is:

Accepted Answer

Insufficient verification and lack of accountability

Answer

Relying on a single unnamed source fails the verification standard because the claim cannot be independently confirmed and the source cannot be held accountable.

Mass Comm Bachelor of Communication Practice Test

Mass Comm Bachelor of Communication Practice Test

Mass Comm Bachelor of Communication Bachelor of Communication: Ethical Principles and Professionalism 5