Lecture 22/08/2011- Dr John Harrison "Ethics in Journalism"

"Just because it's tacky does not mean it's wrong, there is a difference between tact & ethics"... this is the message todays lecturer Dr John Harrison had for us.

We looked at the following examples which have come under scrutiny and discussed which Advertising Codes banned them.

"Toyota Bugger Ad" was banned in New Zealand.


"Where The Bloody Hell Are You" was banned in Great Britain.


Some of the other controversial ad's we looked at:

"Sam Kekovich Lamb Ad"

Here is some more controversial ad's I have found:

So how do we work out what is unethical as apposed to bad taste?

Today Dr Harrison discussed the three frameworks (theories) which are use to disect the information we see.

Firstly Deontology, it relates to rules, principles and duties. This is the made framework used for those in Journalism & Communication fields.

Secondly Consequentialism is the theory of getting a good and or right outcome no matter what is done to get there. As long as the end justifies the means.

Finally Virtue Ethics is explained as "goodness which comes from good habits and dispositions of charcter".  Habits are "virtues" such as courage, justice, honesty etc. These are the "Golden Mean" of behaviour.