In a seamlessly wired world of television, computers, and BlackBerrys, where does ethics fit in? To address that question, Living Ethics calls for a moral convergence to complement the technological one. Identifying principles that apply across media platforms, Michael Bugeja has created a thorough and well-researched work that avoids the prescriptive language used by many texts; instead, he encourages critical thinking through examples that build, challenge, and enhance readers' value systems. While many ethics texts focus almost exclusively on journalistic ethics, Living Ethics emphasizes unifying principles that collapse and transcend the boundaries of a wide variety of media sources--including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, public relations, photojournalism, advertising, and other forms of traditional and online mass communication. As readers will discover, the circumstances of ethical issues may vary, but the moral processes used to resolve them are basically the same. Resolutely practical, Living Ethics is written in a clear and cogent style that helps readers: * Understand unifying principles from historical, philosophical, and political perspectives * Grasp the utility of principles that engage audiences and clients while respecting the diverse cultures in an increasingly global media environment * Explore moral convergence through the eyes of more than 100 practitioners at major newsrooms, agencies, and organizations * Examine ethical issues visually through more than 20 photos and illustrations * Develop a set of principles to guide their careers across a multitude of platforms

Preface Introduction Part One: Building Your Ethical Base 1. Influence Basic Concepts Basic Intentions Basic Influences The Influence of History The Influence of Language Illustration: "Trigger Words" Balance and Perception Illustration: "The Fine Line of Objectivity" Photograph: "Father Holding Son, Who Nearly Drowned," Jared Lazarus Journal Exercise--"Deprogramming Your Influences" 2. Responsibility Basic Concepts Honoring Accountability Role Models, Mentors, Icons and Idols Broader Responsibilities Photograph: "Editors at the Mailbag," Highlights for Children Moral Relativism and Absolutes First Principles Journal Exercise--"You're Absolutely Courageous" 3. Truth Fonts of Truth Objectivity as a Process Truthful Platforms Truthful Disclosures Visual Judgment Calls Photograph: "Grieving Family and Friends," Morris L. Manning Photograph: "Flight Nurse," Dennis Chamberlin Photograph: "Marine Funeral," Dennis Chamberlin Photograph: "Couple Kissing," Dennis Chamberlin Photograph: "Magdalena," Dennis Chamberlin Photograph: "Lanier," Dennis Chamberlin A Word about Satire Editorial Cartoon: "An Army of One," Jim Borgman Editorial Cartoon: "NASA," Carmen Cerra Illustration: "Bunny BioTM--Behind the Fur, Energizer BunnyTM" Higher Concepts Journal Exercise--"Your Highs, Lows and Turning Points" Part Two: Testing Your Ethical Base 4. Falsehood Basic Concepts Categories and Consequences A Word About Quote-Making Visual Lies Photo/Illustration: "Crossing the Line in Photojournalism," Diane Bugeja Questionable Lies Journal Exercise--"Just How Truthful Are You?" 5. Manipulation Basic Concepts Brief History of the Hoax Categories and Consequences Defusing the Hoax Hoaxbusting Methods Journal Exercise--"Your Biases, Fears and Convictions" 6. Temptation Dealing with Temptation A Plagiarism Primer Detecting Plagiarism Dealing With Conflicts of Interest New Media Conflicts Compassionate Conflicts Religious and Familial Conflicts Editorial vs. Advertising Conflicts Diversity Conflicts Visual Conflicts Photograph: "Brian," John Kaplan Journal Exercise--"Your Own Conflict Resolution" 7. Bias Exploring Bias Exploring Stereotypes Dealing with Bias Illustration: "Anticipated vs. Received Message" Journal Exercise--"Taking Stock: Your Personal Bias Barometer" Part Three: Enhancing Your Ethical Base 8. Fairness The Fairness Process Fairness-Related Concepts Corrections and apologies Discretion Journal Exercise--"Do You or Others Play Fair or Foul?" 9. Power Power Bases Power of the Press vs. Profits Censorship vs. Self-Censorship Taste vs. Free Expression Illustration: "Child's Subliminal Ad" Empowerment Two Cases of Sexual Harassment Compassion Photograph: "A Policeman's Torment," John Kaplan Photograph: "Floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina," AP photo/Vincent Laforet Essay: "Ode to New Orleans," by Charlotte Porter Photograph: "Roadside Memorial," by Diane Bugeja Photograph: "Final Moments," by Therese Frare Essay: "Lasting Moments," by Therese Frare Journal Exercise--"Your Path to Empowerment" 10. Value Systems Personal and Professional Standards Creating Codes Photograph: "A Sampling of Codes" Journal Exercise--"Your Own Code of Ethics" Bibliography Index

Michael BugejaDirector of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Iowa State University

"This phosphorescent book puts communication ethics on a new order of magnitude. Living Ethics is destined to become a classic in the tradition of Norbert Wiener's Cybernetics, Jacques Ellul's Propaganda, and Jean Baudrillard's Simulations. Brilliant in content and spectacular in research, a master teacher and public intellectual are at work here. Establishing ethics discourse across media platforms is exactly what the field needs in a technological age and we'll never be able to think about ethics in static terms again. With formalism discredited and relativism simplistic, Living Ethics is an ingenious alternative."--Clifford Christians, College of Communications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign