Ethics

   Linguist Benjamin Whorf states in Language, Thought, and Reality (1956) that language structure influences environmental understanding and behavior. He also found thought content influences thought processes, so that process generalization is impossible without content's being taken into account. "[A]ll one's life one has been tricked, all unaware, by the structure of language into a certain way of perceiving reality, with the implication that awareness of this trickery will enable one to see the world with fresh insight."

   Meaning is thus intimately connected with symbolic language. What's the differences between accused and involved, or should and could? A lot depending on the context of the sentence. As journalists, the words we choose to use indicate to the reader that we believe a source or not, or are siding with one source or another.

   Language produces an organization of experience which influences the perceptions of the observer. Man asserts beliefs as common sense because they are completely adequate as a system of communication between him and his fellow men.

    This coincides with Erving Goffman's idea of the primary framework of which all participants make sense of the world through culturally accepted definitions. It is through this primary frame that meaning is perceived or set. Thus using the right or wrong word can be an ethical dilemma.

    Ethics are not something to lightly brush aside. The relationship between President Bill Clinton and intern Monica Lewinsky was an ethical dilemma for the nation. Besides the obvious fact that Clinton cheated on his wife, many people wanted the president impeached because he acknowledged lying in a court of law. The final analysis shows lying can cost a person's credibility, an essential component for any reporter who chooses to make a job within the media industry.

   Media professionals operate under a Code of Ethics, but don't be fooled into believing the media always places a high priority on them. Though we'd like to think the media is performing its watchdog role of the government and business, in many cases it's not. This is best proven by what doesn't get covered in the media (unofficial censorship). The Institute for Global Communications annually reports on censored stories in its "Project Censored."

   Take the time to read through the ethical discussion: the scenarios are some you may encounter as a journalist. Dr. Mark Harmon explains why media ethics are not always an oxymoron.

If you don't understand something in this Web note, please e-mail Dr. Sitton.