Media Freedom and Ethics

1
Watch video The Siege (Frontline) Objective An
example of overuse of media freedom Thinking
what does media freedom mean to you?
2
Media Freedom and Ethics
3
Media Freedom
1. The meaning of freedom
Freedom of communication has a dual aspect
offering a wide range of voices and responding to
a wide-ranging demand or need. (Denis McQuail
Mass Communication Theory 2000, pp166)
4
The meaning of media freedom
Degree of control from the government
From medias point of view
Degree of control from the management
Degree of control from the society
Access to receiving means
From audiences point of view
Access to delivering means
5
Media Freedom
1. The meaning of freedom
2. Factors that have impact on media freedom
Government system
Society
State economic condition
Media status
6
FREE MEDIA
have
RESPONSIBILITIES
in the form of
OBLIGATIONS
which are either
CONTRACTED
ASSIGNED
SELF-IMPOSED
for which they are held
ACCOUNTABLE
(legally, socially or morally)
either in the sense of
ANSWERABILITY
LIABILITY
for quality of performance
for harm caused
7
Media Ethics
Media ethics is Principles of good conduct for
media practitioners, bearing in mind the public
role of the media in a given society, as well as
the claims of individuals. (McQuails Mass
Communication Theroy, 2000, p499)
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Media Ethics
(1) Four main concerned areas
What information is gathered
How information is gathered
What information is published
The quality of information
Chris Frost Media Ethics and Self-regulation
2000 pp50
9
Media Ethics
(1) Four main concerned areas
(2) Information quality requirements
Comprehensive
Objective
Impartial
(McQuails Mass Communication Theory 2005, pp202)
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Preparation for next week

• Topic Participatory Media and Public Journalism
• Reading
• Jay Rosen and Davis Merritt Public Journalism
  Theory and Practice
• Internet research on definition of Participatory
  Media
• Thinking
• What is participatory Media?
• What are the differences between Mass Media and
  Participatory Media?
• What is Public Journalism?
• 4) Your comments on Public Journalism
  (Opportunities? Threats?)