Introduction to Journalism Module Overview

Introduction

Quote of First Amendment The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law infringing on the freedom of the press; however, it doesn't say that journalists need to be responsible. Often journalists make tough decisions about whether or not to report something based on their own code of ethics.

Essential Questions

What are ethics?
How do ethics apply to journalism?
Why is it important to consider ethics when producing a newspaper?

Key Terms

Bias: A particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question - prejudice.
Censorship: The supervision of manners or morality of others in the case of scholastic journalism--censorship is usually practiced by administration.
Conflict of Interest: When a reporter is involved or has a vested interest in the topic they are reporting on.
Copyright: A concept that gives the creator of an original work exclusive rights to the item.
Fabrication: When a reporter fakes or makes up events or people for a news story.
False Light: Writing something untrue or a misleading portrayal.
Invasion of Privacy: The intrusion into the personal life of another without just cause.
Libel: Printed or written defamation of character.
Plagiarism: An act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author
Slander: Spoken defamation of character.

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