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A Content Analysis of Ethical Statements within Journalistic Codes of Conduct

Neri, David B. D.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1596735747305321

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Journalism (Communication).
Although previous research has been targeted at the aspects of journalistic cultures within nations through the views of their population, such as the multinational Worlds of Journalism Study (2019), other avenues of study can offer a new perspective on these differences. To this end, the study provides a comparison of journalistic codes of ethics. Such codes (while differing in structure, implementation, and reach) share a common purpose in providing and defining standards of ethical action within the field of journalism. By making note of what standards are discussed within journalistic codes of ethics with national reach, and in what manner the ethical rationale is constructed and defended within said ethical codes, the study aims to provide insight into the similarities and differences of the journalistic cultures in which they are set. The study found that the 25 ethical codes examined discussed over 100 distinct generalized ethical situations, the documents often stretched beyond outlining the practice of ethical journalism. The codes of ethics were also found to primarily make use of deontological and virtue-based justifications, although examples of the other selected ethical frameworks were found in small numbers. Additionally, both the deontological and virtue-based justifications occurred dominantly within the examined codes of ethics with such frequency as to be considered ethical norms within the standards set by the study. In both cases, the findings provide a means to critique and point to ways these ethical codes could be improved in order to better relate to both the journalists they hope to guide and the public they hope to educate while laying the groundwork for similar examinations in the future.
Bernhard Debatin (Committee Chair)
Aimee Edmondson (Advisor)
Rosanna Planer (Committee Member)
Bill Reader (Committee Member)
126 p.
Journalism; Mass Communications
Journalism; Journalism Ethics; National Journalism; Transnational Journalism; Codes of Ethics; Ethical Frameworks; Qualitative Content Analysis; Utilitarianism; Deontology; Virtue Ethics; Care Ethics; Ethic of Responsibility; Consequentialism

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Neri, D. B. D. (2020). A Content Analysis of Ethical Statements within Journalistic Codes of Conduct [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1596735747305321

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Neri, David. A Content Analysis of Ethical Statements within Journalistic Codes of Conduct . 2020. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1596735747305321.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Neri, David. "A Content Analysis of Ethical Statements within Journalistic Codes of Conduct ." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1596735747305321

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1596735747305321
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.