Common ethical issues

William is working on a new product for his company. To meet a tight deadline, he decides to use cheaper materials and skip some quality checks. What does this decision represent?

• Improving a product through testing

• Lowering standards to save time or money

• Asking the audience for feedback

• Comparing your product with competitors

Answer explanation

William's choice to use cheaper materials and skip quality checks clearly indicates he is lowering standards to save time or money, prioritizing speed over product quality.

Which example best shows misleading information regarding a product?

• A poster includes the correct release date

• A trailer uses licensed music

• An advert makes exaggerated claims that are not true

• A producer checks facts before publication

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'An advert makes exaggerated claims that are not true' because it directly misleads consumers about the product's features or benefits, unlike the other options which do not contain false information.

Sophia submits a project for her class, but she copies large sections from a website without giving credit. What is this an example of?

• Working with a team

• Copying someone else’s work without credit

• Editing a script for clarity

• Testing audience reactions

Answer explanation

Sophia's action of copying large sections from a website without giving credit is an example of plagiarism, which is defined as copying someone else’s work without credit.

What does inclusion of bias within a product mean?

• Making content shorter

• Including only factual statistics

• Presenting unfair stereotypes or one-sided views

• Using subtitles for accessibility

Answer explanation

Inclusion of bias within a product refers to presenting unfair stereotypes or one-sided views, which can misrepresent reality and influence perceptions negatively. This is the correct choice.

Which of these best describes unethical market research?

• Asking clear questions and gaining consent

• Using audience feedback to improve a product

• Collecting data dishonestly or without proper consent

• Comparing two existing campaigns

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Collecting data dishonestly or without proper consent', describes unethical market research as it violates ethical standards by disregarding honesty and consent in data collection.

Which impact means influencing people unfairly to control their decisions?

• Deception

• Manipulation

• Loss of income

• Health and safety

Answer explanation

Manipulation refers to influencing people in a deceptive or unfair manner to control their decisions, making it the correct choice for the impact described in the question.

Emily signs up for a new social media platform, but the company uses her personal information for marketing without clearly explaining how it will be used or getting her proper agreement. Which impact does this situation illustrate?

• Unfair targeting

• Discrimination

• Lack of informed consent

• Deception

Answer explanation

This situation illustrates a lack of informed consent, as Emily's personal information is used for marketing without a clear explanation or her proper agreement.

Which impact is most closely linked to unfair treatment of a group?

• Discrimination

• Deception

• Loss of income

• Health and safety

Answer explanation

Discrimination is the unfair treatment of a group based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion. It directly relates to the unfair treatment mentioned in the question, making it the most closely linked impact.

A media brand secretly collects data from teenagers through an online quiz, then uses that data to push emotionally pressurising adverts. Which impact is most relevant?

• Lack of informed consent

• Better communication

• Increased competition

• Technical failure

Answer explanation

The media brand's actions highlight a lack of informed consent, as teenagers are not aware their data is being collected and used for targeted advertising, raising ethical concerns about their privacy and autonomy.

A streaming trailer repeatedly presents one community as dangerous and untrustworthy. Which ethical issue is shown?

• Plagiarism

• Misleading information regarding a product

• Inclusion of bias within a product

• Compromising on quality

Answer explanation

The trailer's portrayal of a community as dangerous reflects bias, as it unfairly stereotypes and misrepresents that group. This inclusion of bias within the product raises ethical concerns about fairness and representation.