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Unit title:
Media Ethics
Credit points:
20
Unit code:
CJO543
FHEQ level:
5
School:
Unit designation:
Traditional
Programme group:
Business, Law and
Communications
News Journalism
Unit delivery model:
CD
Max & Min Student
no.:
N/A
TOTAL STUDENT WORKLOAD
Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal scheduled sessions for the
unit. Students are also expected to manage their directed learning and independent study
in support of the unit.
PRE-REQUISITES AND CO-REQUISITES: None
UNIT DESCRIPTION
This academic unit introduces students to the key theoretical concepts of media ethics and
applies them to real journalistic contexts; this is called applied media ethics. Media ethics
is a broad term encapsulating many varied ethical discussions in relation to practice in
journalism. However, a recurring theme, implicit as much as explicit, is the relationship
between journalism and society and the impact that news has for shaping understanding of
the environment we inhabit. The rationale that underpins media ethics is based on creating
student critical thinking and critical self-reflection and to further develop and apply moral
thinking to journalistic practice. The overall purpose of media ethics is to explore some of
the most controversial issues and ethical dilemmas that exist within the practice of
journalism in contemporary society.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of the unit, students should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
K1 Identify and discuss key ethical issues and moral dilemmas confronted by journalists and
media professionals in contemporary news practice.
Cognitive Skills
C1 Demonstrate the ability to critically assess, evaluate and understand academic
perspectives on the main concerns in media ethics and relation to practice in journalism.
Practical and Professional Skills
P1 Critically engage with key ethical concerns that are central to industry and help
understand how codes of practice/conduct and moral thinking can be effectively used in
journalistic practice.
Transferable and Key Skills
T1 Students will effectively develop skills in academic essay writing, reading and further
develop and enhance method and research skills.
AREAS OF STUDY
The main focus is on developing a critical understanding of the social purpose of journalism,
the meaning of news, objective reporting, subjective reporting, investigative journalism,
campaigning journalism, journalism and truth, social and self-responsibility, moral
obligations and duties of journalists, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, public
interest principle, public right to know, journalism in relation to democracy and citizenship,
moral panics, news representations, privacy, trust, ethical decision making and
photojournalism, the ethics of war reporting and the study of codes of practice and conduct.
LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY
Lectures will introduce key topics and themes, guiding students on how to focus and organise
their independent studies. Seminars will develop student understanding through a
combination of ethical discussion and debate. The aim is to engage students to reflect on
how moral thinking can be applied in journalistic practice.
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
The assessment strategy is designed to reflect the theoretical character of this unit and to
critically assess journalistic issues in relation to media ethics. In AE1 students will choose
from a variety of essay titles relating to ethical issues discussed on the unit programme. In
AE2 students will be asked to answer two questions from a choice of unseen questions. The
modes of assessment will help students to expand their knowledge on ethical concerns, to
critically engage and reflect on ethical issues in the media, to engage with theory and
practice and learn from the rigours of academic demands concerning essay skills and
examination writing. Both lectures and seminars will be used to formulate formative
assessment by introducing students to critically self-reflect on content and to be able to
apply to academic learning to practical issues.
ASSESSMENT
AE1
Weighting:
Type:
Length:
Anonymous marking:
AE2
50%
Essay
2000 words.
Yes
Weighting
50%
Type
Exam
Length
Two Hours (Unseen)
Anonymous marking: Yes
AGGREGATION OF MARKS
The marks for each element of assessment will be aggregated to give an overall mark for
the unit.
RE-ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Reassessment for AE1 is a 2000 word essay. Titles to be set by unit lecturer. Reassessment
for AE2 is a two hour unseen exam.
Unit Author: Dr David Berry
Unit history:
Unit Approved/Year Implemented/Code
2011
CJO543