Hirst and Patching's second edition of Journalism Ethics: Arguments and Cases provides a fully updated exploration of the theory and practice of ethics in journalism. The authors situate modern ethical dilemmas in their social and historical context, which encourages students to think critically about ethics across the study and practice of journalism.

Using a unique political economy approach, the text provides students with a theoretical and philosophical understanding of the major ethical dilemmas in journalism today. It commences with a newly recast discussion of theoretical frameworks, which explains the complex concepts of ethics in clear and comprehensive terms. It then examines the 'fault lines' in modern journalism, such as the constant conflict between the public service role of the media, and a journalist's commercial imperative to make a profit.

All chapters have been updated with new examples, and many new cases demonstrating the book's theoretical underpinnings have been drawn from 'yesterday's headlines'. These familiar cases encourage student engagement and classroom discussion, and archived cases will still be available to students on an Online Resource Centre. Expanded coverage of the 'War on Terror', issues of deception within journalism, and infotainment and digital technology is included.

• Restructuring of chapters which lay the ethical foundations for the book, to increase students' understanding of the theory of journalism ethics
• Expanded coverage of reporting war and terrorism — original chapter has been divided in two to allow for more detailed discussion of the important ethical dilemmas of each
• New examples and case studies included, with old case studies from previous edition to be archived for student access on an Online Resource Centre

The Dialectic in Journalism: Ethics and Philosophy

A Political Economy of Journalism Ethics: Ownership, Monopolies, and the Media Marketplace

Journalists and Ideology: Freedom of the Press, Accuracy, Balance, Bias, Fairness, and Objectivity

On the Fault Line: Regulation and Self-regulation in the Workplace

Terrorism and the Media

The Media Goes to War

Privacy and the Public's Right to Know

Trial By Media: Journalism and the Justice System

The News Media and the Injustice System

Issues of Deception

Creating the Storyline, Infotainment and Digital Dilemmas

The Last Word? The Future of Journalism Ethics

Martin Hirst , Associate Professor, School of Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology

Roger Patching , Assocaite Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Bond University, Australia

Useful Weblinks
Useful Movies
Code of Ethics
Resources for Ethical Thinking and Checking

Useful Weblinks
Useful Movies
Code of Ethics
Resources for Ethical Thinking and Checking


Case Studies

Journalism Ethics clearly explains key ethical concepts and dilemmas in journalism, using case studies and examples to help readers think critically about the theory and practice of journalism ethics

Select from the list below to read the case online, or download the case as a PDF document.


Old Cases

First Edition Cases

New Cases

Bugging the Chinese Embassy in Canberra

The Murdoch papers and the 1975 'dismissal' election

The Bondi Xmas bash

The video editor's dilemma: When to stop the action?

The BBC and the Conservative British Government during the Falklands conflict and a similar incident in Iraq

Sharks on land: A South Australian family's grief

Are the families of politicians entitled to privacy?

The privacy of royals and celebrities

Kerry Packer and a plea for privacy

TV cameras in courts

The Scott Volkers case

Martin Bryant: 'Wild in the eyes'

Los Angeles Times photographer fired over altered image