Required prerequisite knowledge

Admission to the MA Programme in Global Journalism

Relevance within study programme

3GJ312 Global Media Ethics is an optional course in the MA Programme in Global Journalism at NLA University College and takes place in the second semester of the programme.

Introduction

GJ 312 Global Media Ethics covers both the broader field of media ethics, which regards overall ethical and philosophical issues arising from media communication on a general level, and the narrower field of journalism ethics, which regards the question of ethics and good behaviour in professional media work.

The course will deal with issues in meta-ethics as well as in applied ethics. Major ethical frameworks will be addressed, including utilitarian, virtue, discourse, communitarian and Christian ethics. One of the basic issues in the course is the question of universals and differences in global journalism and media ethics, in the light of religious and worldview diversity.  Examples will be given of professional approaches in different societies and under different conditions.

In applied ethics, the course will consider codes and mechanisms for acountability, as well as specific areas of difficulty, such as fairness, privacy, independence, the handling of sources, harm, misinformation and others.  Attention will be given to new challenges emerging from new developments like social media and AI. 

Learning outcomes descriptors

Knowledge

The student:

• can identify and explain major approaches to media ethics
• can explain common concepts used in the global media ethics literature
• has knowledge of various cultural-specific ethical frameworks

Skills

The student:

• can discuss universal and cultural-specific aspects of media ethics and argue for a preferred approach
• is able to use ethical reasoning to consider different dilemmas that may arise in media practice and argue for a preferred approach

General competence

The student:

• can identify and discuss ethical approaches to the media and journalism in a given society, between societies, and from a global perspective

Content

3GJ312-1: Theoretical foundation

The first section of the course treats fundamental issues related to media and journalism ethics, including the problem of ethical relativism and the discussion of universals and particulars in media ethics.

3GJ312-2: Global experiences and alternative frameworks

The second section of the course discusses ethical experiences from various media societies around the world. Particular attention is given to identifying and assessing proposed cultural-specific frameworks relating to journalism and media ethics.

3GJ312-3: Current issues

The third section of the course focuses on practical ethical issues emanating from the contemporary media situation. Emphasis is placed on issues pertaining to digital media and citizen participation; global crisis and conflict reporting; and the debate concerning misinformation.

Teaching and learning methods

The course has an introductory week with intensive teaching from Monday to Friday. The remaining six weeks of the course have weekly lectures. Online connection is available for the weekly lectures, but not for the introductory week.

Scope

250-300 hours.

Coursework requirements

A short (800 word) essay will be required for purposes of formative assessment and feedback. 

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved/not approved 

Final assessment

The assessment of 3GJ312 comprises two parts:

• 4000 word written assignment/paper (51% of the final grade)
• 30 minute oral exam (49% of the final grade)

Grading, examination

Both parts shall be individual assignments and are assessed according to the standard A-F grading system. One final grade is given for the course.

Permitted aids under examination

1. Written assignment: All

2. Oral exam: None

Assessment language

English or a Nordic language

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

Annual course evaluation in accordance with the quality assurance system for NLA University College. Students may also give their feedback on the course in the student group/in class.

Available as Single Course

No

Reading list and academic resources

Book Chapter

Primordial Issues in Communication Ethics
Christians, Clifford G, Primordial Issues in Communication Ethics, Oxford, UK, Wiley‐Blackwell, 1-19, 1, 2011-04-15, 1-19, isbn:9781405188128,
View online

Book Chapter

Global media ethics? Issues, requirements, challenges, resolutions
Ess, Charles M, Ward, Stephen J. A, Global media ethics? Issues, requirements, challenges, resolutions, Chicester, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, 253-271, isbn:9781405183918,
View online

Book Chapter

Global ethics and the problem of relativism
Christians, Clifford G, Ward, Stephen J. A, Global ethics and the problem of relativism, Chicester, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, 272-294, isbn:9781405183918,
View online

Book

Doing what's right : whose system of ethics is good enough?
David Gooding (forfatter), Belfast, Northern Ireland, Myrtlefield House, 171, 4, 2019, isbn:9781912721153,
Pages 45-208 and 213-220

Article

The discipline of journalism: Reflections from a Christian perspective
Melhus, Kåre, Theofilos, 2, 8, 2016, 231-245,
View online

Book

Global journalism ethics
Stephen J.A. Ward (1951-), London, McGill-Queen's University Press, 42, 2010, isbn:9780773536784,
Pages 11-52

Book Chapter

Multidimensional Objectivity for Global Journalism
Ward, Stephen J. A, Multidimensional Objectivity for Global Journalism, Oxford, UK, Wiley‐Blackwell, 215-233, 1, 2011-04-15, 215-233, isbn:9781405188128,
View online

Book Chapter

Contextual ethics and Arab mass media
Berenger, Ralph D. and Mustafa Taha, Ward, Stephen J. A, Contextual ethics and Arab mass media, Chicester, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, 89-109, isbn:9781405183918,
View online

Book

Journalism ethics and regulation
Frost, Chris, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge, 113, 2016, isbn:9781138796577,
Pages 70–128, 141–179 and 210–223

Article

Media Ethics Beyond Borders
PIETER J. FOURIE, Routledge, 115-132, Communications, 2008, 115-132,
View online

Article

Journalism ethics revisited: A comparison of ethics codes in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Muslim Asia
Hafez, Kai, Informa UK Ltd, 225-250, Political communication, 2, 19, 2002-04-01, 225-250,
View online

Book Chapter

Universals and differences in global journalism ethics
Hanitzsch, Thomas, Patrick Lee Plaisance and Elizabeth A. Skewes, Universals and differences in global journalism ethics, Chicester, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, 30-49, isbn:9781405183918,
View online

Article

The foundations of African ethics (Afriethics) and the professional practice of journalism: The case for society-centred media morality
Kasoma, Francis P., African Media Review, 3, 10, 1996, 93-116,
View online

Article

Discourse ethics and the media
Krüger, Franz, Routledge, 21-39, African Journalism Studies, 1, 37, 2016-01-02, 21-39,
View online

Reference Entry

Reading “Asian values” into journalism practices in Asia
Loo, Eric, Eric Loo, Oxford University Press, 2020-02-03, 1-26, isbn:9780190694166,
View online

Book Chapter

Introduction: New guiding principles for a new era of journalism
McBride, Kelly and Tom Rosenstiel, Tom Rosenstiel (redaktør), Introduction: New guiding principles for a new era of journalism, Los Angeles, SAGE/CQ Press, XII, 243, 2014, 1-6, isbn:9781604265613,

Document

Code of ethics of the Norwegian press
Norwegian Press Association, 2020,
View online

Book Chapter

Brown Envelope Journalism: The Contradiction Between Ethical Mindset and Unethical Practice
Skjerdal, Terje, Brown Envelope Journalism: The Contradiction Between Ethical Mindset and Unethical Practice, London, Palgrave Macmillan UK, 163-183, 2018-06-06, 163-183, isbn:1137541083,
View online

Book Chapter

Checkbook journalism/payment for coverage
Skjerdal, Terje, Checkbook journalism/payment for coverage, 2019, isbn:9781118841570,
View online

Book Chapter

Media ethics in a new democracy: South African perspectives on freedom, dignity, and citizenship
Wasserman, Herman, Media ethics in a new democracy: South African perspectives on freedom, dignity, and citizenship, Chicester, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, 126-145, isbn:9781405183918,
View online

Article

Journalism ethics in a digital environment: How journalistic codes of ethics have been adapted to the Internet and ICTs in countries around the world
Díaz-Campo, Jesús ; Segado-Boj, Francisco, Elsevier Ltd, 735-744, Telematics and informatics, 4, 32, 2015-11, 735-744,
View online

Document

Global Charter of Conscience
2012,
View online

Book

The global public square : religious freedom and the making of a world safe for diversity
Guinness, Os, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press, 2013, isbn:0830895655,
Pages 13-44

Book Chapter

Scandinavian political journalism in a time of fake news and disinformation
Kalsnes, Bente; Falasca, Kajsa; Kammer, Aske, Scandinavian political journalism in a time of fake news and disinformation, 283-, 2021, 283-304, isbn:978-91-88855-28-2,
View online

Book Chapter

The role of the journalist in reporting international conflicts
Tumber, Howard, The role of the journalist in reporting international conflicts, Chicester, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, 50-68, isbn:9781405183918,
View online

Book Chapter

Ethics of global disaster reporting: Journalistic witnessing and objectivity
Wahl-Jørgensen, Karin and Mervi Pantti, Ethics of global disaster reporting: Journalistic witnessing and objectivity, Chicester, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, 191-213, isbn:9781405183918,
View online

Book Chapter

Why ethics still matters
Sanders, Karen, Lada T Price (Lada Trifonova), Why ethics still matters, London, Routledge, XXIV, 527 sider, 2021, 9-18, isbn:9780367206475; 9781032041599,

Book Chapter

The ethics of privacy and public interest
Sanders, Karen, Lada T Price (Lada Trifonova), The ethics of privacy and public interest, London, Routledge, XXIV, 527 sider, 2021, 149-155, isbn:9780367206475; 9781032041599,

Book Chapter

Algorithmic News: ethical implications of bias in artificial intelligence in journalism
Culver, K. B.; Minocher, X., Lada T Price (Lada Trifonova), Algorithmic News: ethical implications of bias in artificial intelligence in journalism, London, Routledge, XXIV, 527 sider, 2021, 328-336, isbn:9780367206475; 9781032041599,

Book Chapter

Responsible freedom: The democratic challenge of regulating online media
Heesen, J., Lada T Price (Lada Trifonova), Responsible freedom: The democratic challenge of regulating online media, London, Routledge, XXIV, 527 sider, 2021, 435-442, isbn:9780367206475; 9781032041599,

Book Chapter

Where accountability is insufficent, bad journalism thrives: The case of the united kingdom press
Cathcart, B., Lada T Price (Lada Trifonova), Where accountability is insufficent, bad journalism thrives: The case of the united kingdom press, London, Routledge, XXIV, 527 sider, 2021, 461-468, isbn:9780367206475; 9781032041599,

Article

Caring with the Public: An Integration of Feminist Moral, Environmental, and Political Philosophy in Journalism Ethics
Joseph Jones, Journal of media ethics, 2, 36, 2021-05-04, 74-84,

Article

Difficulties with balance: Normative contestation, ambiguity and change in reporting AIDS denialism
Franz Krüger Franz Krüger,, Journalism, 8, 22, 2021-08, 2091-2106,