Media Ethics Potter Box Essay

Words: 1206
Pages: 5
Open Document
Case Study 1
Part 1
Analyse the issue using the Potter Box. Use the quadrants of the Potter Box to make your own judgment of the New York Times' decision to delay publication for a year, and omit certain information. Was it ethically justifiable?

1.Definition or situation. 4. Loyalties.
2. Values. 3. Ethical principal.

Facing objection for the White House, The New York Times went ahead and published an article about President Bush permitting the N.S.A to spy on Americans without court warrants, but it was delayed for a year to research for additional reporting and certain information were excluded. The Potter Box is used to analyse the problem regarding this situation.

The Potter Box introduces four dimensions of moral …show more content…
On the other hand, President Bush and his administration used Mill's Principle of Utility, which means to "seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number" (Ethical foundation and perspectives, 2005. p.16) as a guideline for their action. John Stuart Mill's principle focuses on benefiting the biggest number of people with the goods and services offered, but not considering about the method used and consequences caused, as long as the outcome benefits the majority. This applies to Bush's decision for the N.S.A to spy on the people inside America without court warrants and invading a person's right to privacy. The main reason to eavesdrop is to curb terrorist attacks and to protect American citizens from harm.

The last quadrant in Potter Box is loyalties. Loyalties concern who the decision-maker has duties or loyalties to. For example, in journalism, the first duty is always to the public. Other duties a journalist might have would be to their employer, industry organizations, coworkers and society (Ethical foundation and perspectives, 2005. p.22). For this case, the New York Times have duties firstly to its readers, which is to inform them about the truth. Next is duty to society because as a credible political magazine, New York Times carries a social responsibility towards the society. Lastly is duty to organization and firm. The journalists working on this article carefully published and omitted certain facts to prevent
Show More

Related Documents: Media Ethics Potter Box Essay

Media Ethics Essay

Media Ethics In a world full of technology, we are constantly stimulated by the media whether it’s through the television or the internet. We are able to receive information across the globe at any time of day. The problem with this is that not all of the information we are provided with is the true facts. With information from the article, “Who Is Responsible for Journalism” we can take a look into media ethics from a journalists stand point. The author of this article is John H. Manus…

Words 496 - Pages 2

ethics paper

Kadeejiah Bowdre COMM 370.001 Professor Summers 19 November 2014 Ethics Paper Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder was a gay man serving his country and was killed on duty in Iraq. Westboro Baptist Church’s congregation picketed across the street from the church during the funeral service displaying signs such as “God hates fags” and “Thank God for 9/11.” Westboro was sued in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The soldier’s father, Albert…

Words 947 - Pages 4

Truman Show Rhetorical Analysis

What if I told you I watched you sleep last night? I saw you change into your cute little Pyjamas that you're embarrassed to wear in front of anybody else, brush your teeth, lay on your bed and read Harry Potter for the 80th time. A few minutes after the hour hand on the clock passed 12, you were fast asleep, snoring and drooling, with the book dropped onto your face, shielding you from the bright light that you forgot to turn off. Creepy right? And you didn't even know there were several cameras…

Words 1246 - Pages 5

The Science Fiction Museum And Hall Of Fame

books are in the science fiction and fantasy genres. This does not even count major authors like Michael Crichton or Tom Clancy, who write “techno-thrillers” that are science fiction in all but name. Science fiction has thrived even more in modern media forms. Six of the top-ten-grossing movies of all time are science fiction, led by the original Star Wars (inexplicably still behind Titanic in total sales). On TV, many of the most popular and influential shows of all time, from The Twilight Zone to…

Words 8778 - Pages 36