What are Journalism Ethics: Definition, Principles, Relevance in Today's World and Future
Ethics are principles that keep us from causing harm. Check out what these ethics are in the field of journalism.
What are Journalism Ethics
What are Journalism Ethics? Journalism, which is also called the "fourth pillar" of democracy and plays an important role in building society and nation. It is not just about informing the public about current events but also spreading awareness, educating the people, and making them aware of their rights. These responsibilities also give journalism some power. There are a few set of journalism ethics that must be followed to not cause harm, chaos, or spread false information. These ethics keep journalism from going against its objective.
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Media Laws and Ethics
- What are Journalism Ethics?
- Journalistic Ethics Explained
- Challenges to Ethical Journalism
- Relevance of Journalism Ethics in Today's World
What are Journalism Ethics?
Journalism ethics are the principles, or in simpler terms, a basic set of practices that journalists and media houses need to follow while reporting or covering an event. These ethics serve to guide journalists to uphold integrity, accuracy, fairness, objectivity, and accountability in their work. In the current digital age, journalism monetises through clicks, creating buzz and sensation among the audiences. It is an easy choice for journalists to give the audience what piques interest, regardless of whether it is factual or ethically responsible. Journalists can build trust among the public and uphold the democratic function of the press by following these simple rules.
Journalistic Ethics Explained
Truth and Accuracy: Journalism is all about true reporting and being accurate with your facts. Journalists must seek and report the truth.
Before preparing for the Global Media Common Entrance Test (GMCET) candidates must know that the GMCET is easy to crack. The difficulty level of the question paper is easy to moderate level so they need to just clear the basics and not stress too much about the preparation and the resources as candidates can easily find various resources to prepare from, there are books, e-books, various educational portals, YouTube channels, and more through which they can prepare. Candidates can also rely on newspapers, current affairs magazines, and general awareness books to prepare for the GMCET examination.
The Part B of FTII JET question paper has descriptive questions. In this part, candidates have to write answers related to the question of the course they have applied for during FTII JET application.
Independence: Journalists must be independent from outside influences while covering news. This way, they will be unbiased in their approach. Journalists must not be influenced by propaganda makers and political agendas.
Fairness and Impartiality: Reporters should do their best to present diverse perspectives and treat all subjects with fairness and impartiality. They must not get into favouritism.
Minimisation of Harm: While reporting, it is the basic responsibility of journalists to ensure that they don’t ask personal questions to individuals or don’t peep into their personal lives. They must also ensure to minimise harm to individuals by exercising sensitivity and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues.
Accountability: Media organisations and journalists should be accountable to the public. It can happen that while reporting, they might make errors, but it is more important to issue an apology by acknowledging the errors.
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Challenges to Ethical Journalism
Students should start preparing for XET at least four months before exams. It takes time to prepare for XIC entrance test. So, students are advised to start with syllabus early. Also, they are advised to focus on current events for General Awareness section and solving reasoning questions quickly to save time.
Several challenges come in the way of ethical journalism. Some of them are
- Sensationalism: In the media industry, viewership, clicks, and engagement directly translate into money. Media professionals often employ exaggerations, falsifications and embellishing to make their stories more interesting to their audiences. This keeps the news from spreading as it should.
- Personal Bias: Picking sides is human nature. Sometimes journalists bring their preferences and biases into their work, which makes their journalism unethical.
- Political Affiliations & Influence: People in power are always concerned about their public image and what stories are being put out about them. They often go to great lengths and buy off journalists so that nothing controversial or defaming reaches their citizens. This prevents their position of power from being compromised.
- The ‘Going Viral’ Phenomenon: Limitless access to social media and the internet has made the dissemination of information a big game of telephone. People post and repost, and add their own opinions, sarcasm and humour. The intent may be harmless, but someone encountering this processed news piece may be confused or may end up believing something entirely different.
Relevance of Journalism Ethics in Today's World
Earlier during the British rule of India, journalism was all about creating awareness and bringing the nation together towards a singular cause of fighting for an independent India. Slowly, the revolution was built, and print media played a very important role in it. Today, media commercialisation has taken over the true essence of journalism, although some media houses still believe in reporting the facts, they are limited to single digits, as media moguls have foreshadowed them.
In today's digital age, journalism ethics have gone for a toss as money minded approach has taken over the truth. News has become a fast consumable item where users are quick to create a perception and make a narrative. With the proliferation of online news sources, social media platforms, and citizen journalism, the lines between fact and fiction have become blurred. This has led to the spread of misinformation, polarisation, and distrust in the media.
During these foggy times, ethical journalism can serve as a bulwark by upholding standards of integrity, accuracy, and accountability.
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It is a bit tough to crack the FTII JET exam because FTII is the premier film making school in India and aspirants from all over India apply for this coveted exam making the competition a bit tough. To pass through the competition candidates will have to make a proper exam strategy and allot equal time to covering the whole syllabus, solving the question papers and leave good time for revision. In the FTII JET exam students will be judged on their intellectual skills, general studies, English, general knowledge and the prescribed syllabus.