Journalism Ethics and Standards

Professor Mark Rowski emphasizes the importance of ethics in journalism, focusing on three major areas: plagiarism, fabrication, and conflicts of interest. He provides examples and consequences of each, urging students to avoid these pitfalls to maintain their reputation and integrity. The lesson concludes with advice on ethical journalism and encourages students to seek guidance if needed.

Why is it crucial for journalists to maintain ethical standards?

• To increase their salary

• To enhance their reputation

• To avoid working overtime

• To gain more followers

What are the three major ethical issues discussed in the course?

• Plagiarism, fabrication, and conflicts of interest

• Lying, cheating, and stealing

• Negligence, ignorance, and carelessness

• Bias, favoritism, and dishonesty

What constitutes plagiarism in journalism?

• Citing all sources

• Using your own ideas

• Copying others' work without credit

• Writing original content

What happened to the student who plagiarized a press release?

• He received an A

• He was promoted

• He was praised

• He got an F

What is fabrication in the context of journalism?

• Creating fictional stories

• Making up facts or quotes

• Writing about real events

• Reporting verified information

Why did the student journalist get in trouble for quoting the dean?

• He had permission from the athlete

• He assumed the athlete's statement was true

• He confirmed with the dean

• He wrote an opinion piece

What should journalists avoid to prevent conflicts of interest?

• Writing about strangers

• Interviewing experts

• Covering friends or family

• Reporting on public events

What dilemma did the student face when writing about a reality TV show?

• Choosing a different topic

• Submitting the op-ed to a newspaper

• Writing a positive review

• Ignoring the assignment

What is the challenge of journalism according to the professor?

• Staying in your comfort zone

• Writing about familiar topics

• Exploring new and unfamiliar subjects

• Avoiding controversial issues

What should students do if they have ethical concerns?

• Ignore them

• Consult their textbook

• Talk to the professor

• Ask their peers