Paper Example on Media Ethics Theory

Introduction

The field of ethics entails systemizing, recommending, and supporting concepts which are right and addressing the wrong behaviors in the media industry. Mass media can be understood as a platform used to pass information to a majority of people. This is performed through the internet, social media, and mainstream media. Therefore, the concepts of ethics in such a field is very subjective and relative hence the need to review theories which can be applied to ascertain the right media behavior. In my view, one of the valid theory that can be considered is the dependency theory. Media dependency theory holds that the more an individual depends on having his or her needs that can only be satisfied by media use, the more critical the role of the media will be in a person's life. Such dependency requires the correct behavior from the mass media (Sun et al. 410). This is because journalism will now have an immense influence on the people who depend on it.

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Theory Principles and Framework

The media influence is tangled with the social system, the functions of the media in that system and the individual associated with the media. Thus, the press is expected to operate in a particular social order so that they can gratify the needs and wants of their listeners. The other principle is the need to learn about the degree of audience reliance on the information given by the media. In that, the manner in which an individual uses the media, or why they selected that given media outlet, will ultimately ascertain how much media will influence the public by providing the relevant and dependable information to its followers (Wilkins 17). Subsequently, the framework of the media system is based on three levels such as macro-level, micro-level and meso-level dependency that explains a person's motivations that leads to their media behavior. Thus, the three general reliance aspects are considered to be equally critical to the person's welfare with the potential to cause balance central dependency relations with the media system.

Aspects of Moral Ethics Theory

Consequentialism Theory

This is a theory that suggests the ethical value of a person by focusing on the consequences of an action as opposed to the act itself. In other words, this is a normative moral theory that will play a vital in the development of dependency theory by placing the locus of right and wrong particularly on the outcomes of selecting one policy over other actions (Wilkins 23). This implies that, if the result of an action is right, then the action is considered to be morally correct.

Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics entails the notion of judging an individual by his character as opposed to his or her action that that is likely to go out of line with their normal behavior. Therefore, the application of this aspect in the moral theory of dependency will be of benefit since it will put into consideration the person's morals, motivation, and reputation into account when gauging an unusual and irregular behavior that is believed to be unethical in media.

Deontological Ethics

This is a normative theory which determines choices which are morally acceptable, required and outlawed. Thus the application of this theory within the domain of moral theories will monitor and evaluate our decisions based on what is required or considered ethical in the media. It is applied as an outline for defining the actions are morally right and the ones which are not allowed.

Social Contract Theory

It holds that individuals coexist together in the society in line with the agreement that upholds political and moral rules of behaviors. If people can live following the social contract, then the media will be morally upright hence providing a valuable framework for coherence in the society.

Feminist Ethics of Care

This is also a normative moral philosophy which lays more emphasis on the need for greater respect and fair treatment of humans as presented by psychologist Caro Gilligan. The application of this perspective in the moral dependency theory in media will enhance moral development by examining undervalued work, good communication, and providing ethics of care to all the people. As a consequence, the frameworks of feminist ethics of care will be applied in media to enhance a healthy communication.

Code of Ethics for the Application of Dependency Theory

Media system dependency theory is a notion that envisages individuals in society will apply media for interpersonal needs and objectives. It can be understood as the system that makes it possible for persons to accomplish these objectives through sources of information gathered from different media forms. The freedom of communication provides the public with the right to know the truth without exaggerating or distorting the information being communicated (Sun et al. 418). Therefore, the code of ethics that enhances the application of dependency theory involves:

• Journalism is a public function; thus, it will not be used as a channel of airing out immoral private pursuits and interests.
• No individual will be denounced or ridiculed in publications based on his age, sex, race, health, religious beliefs, and social status.
• Nothing should limit the freedom of expression, thought and conscience in the media channels.
• Private lives of persons will not be reported unless when made necessary by the public interest.
• The actions which are believed to be unethical shall not be attributed to persons without rational and persuasive evidence to that effect.

Application of Dependency Theory and Code of Ethics

Mainstream Media

The primary concept of the assumption is that individuals in modern society rely on the media to understand the environment or the world around them. It is the satisfaction of one party's needs and objectives on the resources of a different party. Thus, more emphasis is given between the media and its viewers or listeners. For instance, since 9/11 in every year, the mainstream media is full of flashbacks, memories and old images of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly three thousand persons in America. This is because media had the connection of events that were occurring since they announced the tragedies that occurred.

Therefore, such activities have enhanced the theory of dependency theory by increasing media consumption among the Americans. The code of ethics that is applied in this instance is reporting genuine information without any exaggerations putting into account the significant aspect of the matter being reported. The interdependence of the public on the media to have an understanding of the events that took place depicts the application of dependence theory guided by the code of ethics that enhances ethical communication.

Social Media

Social media has remained continuously to be the best forum for meeting new persons and expressing an individual's opinion. The majority of social media users rely on social networking sites to stay connected with friends and family as well as getting the updates on what is happening across the world. Thus, the application of dependency theory is essential since the public uses social media as a tool for receiving national emergency events and advocating for social change and conflict. Social media platforms have been the primary focal point when addressing the political uprising of our modern time. In that, it has established a new alternative of social activism, and the voices of the powerless can finally be heard (White 44). For instance, social media played a primary role in the Arab spring revolution in overthrowing a decade of Hosni Mubarak's dictatorship in Egypt.

In the Egyptian revolution, social media was used in organizing the protests and unifying millions of people raise their voice and concern regarding political and social matters that were affecting them as a nation. Consequently, the online social movements succeeded in overthrowing the dictatorship in Egypt brought to an end the long-running oppression of the Egyptians. The code of ethics utilized in this instance is the provision of freedom of expression through the different social media accounts since they expressed their dissatisfaction on the way the affairs of the country were being executed.

Internet Media

The internet digital can be utilized to reconfigure access to valuable information and individuals in a manner that can support networked users and promote their relative communication strengths. Notably, politics and political participation of citizens is one of the subjects of discussion which are conducted over the internet through the World Wide Web community especially on young generations. For instance, Barack Obama's well-known online campaign played a key role in engaging more with his supporters lead to the unity of his voters who eventually helped him to establish a political campaign. Due to the use of internet media, Obama's campaign was able to connect people since the movement was formed on the issues that affected them in general. Subsequently, this upholds the code of not being denounced or ridiculed due to his internet media publications which ultimately got a majority of Americans engaged hence enhancing the ethics of media.

Advantages of Dependency Theory

The application of the theory in mainstream media was elegant and descriptive since it was presented in a manner that anyone could understand. In that, the mainstream media provided an opportunity for the public to meet their goals through the multiple sources of information that gave insights on what was happening.

In social media, the moral theory enhanced system orientation. This was achieved through the interrelations of several social media channels as well as the extensive discussion of the social media effects.

On the case study in network media, the dependency theory has extended our knowledge on how people and social groups use network media to develop and promote movements which are based on real issues that affect the society such as elections. Moreover, the theory has played a key role in understanding the ideological and political power through this channel of media transmission.

Disadvantages

Hard to verify experimentally: Despite the theory illustrating how an audience becomes reliant on the mainstream media for information, it is difficult to support this perception practically. This is because the information being reported differs from one person to another.

Meaning and level of dependency are indistinct: in that, it is difficult to ascertain the rate of addiction an individual has on social media since there are different types of media and measuring each category is quite hard.

Insufficient convincing power on long-term effects. On the issue of network media, the theory has effectively explained on the way its audience is relying on media during election time such as the US elections, but it has not discussed on how long the effects have on their audience.

Recommendations for the Application of Dependency Theory

Dependency theory suggests an integral connection between media, audiences and the more extensive social system. Thus, this notion proposes that reliance on media information to satisfy specific needs and attain particular objectives should be guided by the regulatory policies in all the sources of information available in different media forms. Media regulation entails the legally binding procedures that are applied to media systems and institutions to accomplish the set policy objectives such as freedom, diversity, and freedom (Sun et al. 423). The regulatory policies are in most cases associated with media policy to foster specific forms of media structure and correct behaviors as well as the media governance.

Subsequently, it is also recommendable for the media houses to adopt the aspect of accurate and accountable news. Providing...