briefly describe media ethics and accountability
Answers
Answer:
Media ethics is the best division of applied ethics dealing with the specific ethical principles and standards of media, including broadcast media, film, theatre, the arts, print media and the internet. ... Media ethics promotes and defends values such as a universal respect for life and the rule of law and legality.
Answer:
important role in setting the agenda that
decides which news items are worthy of
attention and which are not. They help in
shaping our opinions and thoughts. It is
the media which brings to light issues that
require our attention. For example, the
media very recently drew our attention
towards global warming. Most of the
newspapers and magazines highlight
reports or present data on the rising levels
of seas and the melting of the glaciers at a
rapid rate. The areas that are most prone
to such changes have been covered in the
reports. This information has helped us in
focussing on an issue that affects our lives.
We may have failed to take notice of it had
it not been for the media reporting in a big
way.
However, at a number of places the media
has failed to fulfil its responsibilities. It
is increasingly reporting instances that
are of trivial importance while ignoring
the greater issues at hand. In their quest
to present the most attention-grabbing
and groundbreaking news, the media
sometimes loses its way and succumbs to
the global trend of glorifying the news. This
is especially the case in television, where
reports on crime and entertainment drown
out the more important news of the day.
The stress on glitzy effects and bite-size
news reports leaves no time for serious and
in-depth discussions on the issues that
actually matter. The result is that a healthy
public discourse does not take place due
to the lack of availability of the real facts
and different aspects of a particular news.
Less than 25% of national news bulletins
cover news related to health, education,
development, welfare, environment, etc.
Ideally in a democracy, the media has the
following responsibilities.
Investigative reporting: The media acts
as a watchdog reporting on corruption,
human rights violation and other forms of
wrongdoings which would help build a
culture of accountability in the government.
Information tool and forum for discussion:
Newspapers and public affairs programmes
on the radio and television inform, educate
and engage the public and prompt them to
take action.
Media as a peace and consensus builder:
At times the media helps in peace building
efforts. It becomes important that it remains
financially independent and does not work
under the censorship of the government or
under the dictates of powerful authorities. It
is also important for the reader and viewers
to understand and evaluate the news
presented by the media neutrally.