comm 3353: communication web technologies i

COMM 3353:Communication Web Technologies I

Chapter 11a:Ethics and Legal Issues

www.class.uh.edu/comm/classes/comm3353/ppt/_Pres11a.html

Ethics and Legal Issues

Ethics and Ethical Behavior Ethics and the Mass Media Ethical Perspectives

Ethics: Guidelines for decision making by people that

influence behavior. Behavior:

Series of choices between alternative actions. Are there good and bad decisions? Are people’s behaviors fundamentally good or

bad? What would happen without Law, Morals?

Ethics and Ethical Behavior

There are no good and bad decisions, just good and bad choices. Ethics always (except in abnormal

psychology) plays into the human decision making process. Ethics does not, however, always dictate

behavior.

What is Ethical Behavior?

Ethics and Ethical Behavior, Continued…

Ethical behavior is not standardized. No rigid standard for measurement. Most people think about ethics when making

behavioral decisions. If I stay up late, then. . . If I don’t do my homework, then . . . If I clean up the garage now, then . . .

Most people don’t consciously think about ethics when making random, quick decisions: If I get the mail, then. . .


Evolution of the Ethics Impression on the Human Experience: Toddlers and Young Children:

More intuitive choices. Not much gray area (clear cut choices).

Bad Behavior: Hurt another child or Stealing.

Good Behavior: Sharing and being considerate to others.


Adolescents and Teenagers: Less intuitive choices. Choices are not clear cut.

Bad Behavior: Hurt another child, except if I’m being hurt.

Good Behavior: Sharing and being considerate to others, unless by

sharing I’d go without -or- being considerate might get me into trouble.


Mature Individuals (Adults): Complex choices. Choices are filled with gray matter.

Bad Behavior: Hurt another individual, unless my life’s in

danger. Good Behavior:

Sharing knowledge and material goods with others, when in the position to do so.


Ethics and the Mass Media The Internet and WWW have remained

unregulated since the early 1980’s. Reagan Administration’s push for self-

standardization and governing by the internet community and marketplace.

But. . . What does it mean to be unregulated?

Telecommunications Act of 1996: An update to the Communications Act of 1934.

Encourages competition in the online marketplace while relaxing some of the governmental restrictions currently in place for broadcast and print media ownership.

Isn’t this regulation? It’s all about money. . .

Ethics and the Mass Media, Continued…

Telecom. Act of ‘96’s primary components: Fin-Syn Rules (Financial Syndication)

Pre 1991: Rules preventing TV networks from producing and selling their own programs.

Now: total production / sales freedom. Networks can decide whether or not to sell their

productions to other networks. Even though the network would realize a lack of profit

from the sales, advertising would still generate some income.

Only financially sustainable by the larger networks. Ethical Challenge: The ability to control competition.


Station Ownership Pre 1991: The number of RTV stations that could be

owned by a single entity was severely restricted. FCC wanted to diversify ownership.

Would lead to diversity in editorial opinion. Now: Can now own up to 35% of the total market,

and one-station-per-market rule has been relaxed. No current national limits on the number of Radio stations

that can be owned by a single entity, but there are some local limitations.

Ethical Challenge: Being “fair” in the market place.


Ethical Guidelines Without specific laws and regulations governing

internet behavior, Mass Media has begun to regulate itself: Self-regulation

Establishes ethical guidelines to help direct behavior in ways that are appropriate.

For the organization. For Individuals within an organization. For people who engage in business practices with the

Organization. For the Audience.


Ethical Perspectives The two main ethical perspectives used by

theorists and media practitioners in Mass Media: Deontological: (Gr. Deon, or “Duty”)

Views ethics from a purely moral standpoint. Human behavior should be guided by moral principle,

obtained through religion, human conscience, reason, or society.

Good behavior comes from a set of good rules. Outcomes or results of actions are not considered.

There’s always some benefit somewhere. . .

Deontological, Continued. . . “Categorical Imperative,” Immanuel Kant.

Dictates that proper behavior comes from acting on principles that you would want to become universal law.

(e.g. “Golden Rule)

Ethical Perspectives, Continued…

Teleological Perspective: (Gr. Teleos, “Result”) Views the “rightness” or “wrongness” of behavior

based on the results of that behavior. Behaviors that result in overall good for society are

considered ethical and moral. Behaviors may be right in some situations and wrong

in others, depending on their outcomes. (e.g.: Utilitarianism, or the aim of an action should be the

largest possible balance of pleasure over pain, or the greatest happiness for the greatest number).


Internet publishing is often guided by the conscience of the individual at the keyboard. Not by rules, law, or professional ethics. Professionalism perception of a “name.”

(e.g.: NY Times, CNN, etc.)

Should the Internet be protected by the First Amendment? Humans and the search for truth.

Ability to weed-out the crap.


Ethics in Corporate Marketing: Do Corporations lie to make themselves appear better

than they really are? Environmental Issues: Humanitarian Issues: Do major organizations and “Big Business” have a

moral or ethical obligation to help society. If yes, why? If not, why do it?


What about Mass Media and Internet News Technology? OJ Trial Suicide

Who determines what news benefits or hurts society? Is the Mass Media really out to “help” society?

It’s all about money!

Environmental and Humanitarian Issues: Starving children abroad vs. starving children here at

home. . .


Ethics and Ethical Behavior comes from within, and any attempt to regulate ethics would be futile. Controversial Issues:

Abortion Legalization of Marijuana The Speed Limit


The Bottom Line: Human beings want to do good, but finding

“good” can be difficult when faced with challenging and “gray” choices.

Who decides right and wrong, anyhow?


End Chapter 11, Part I.

The Internet and theWorld Wide Web

comm 3353: communication web technologies i

Documents

bad behavior

good behavior

continuedethical behavior

ethics impression

bad choices

ethical behaviorethics

bad decisions

intuitive choices