LEI - Making Ethical Decisions (Lesson)

 

Making Ethical Decisions Lesson

Digital media is any form of media, such as video, images, and audio that convey a message through the use of electronic devices. The use of digital media has expanded tremendously due to the World Wide Web. It has been that bridge that has connected people in numerous ways and allowed for better social interaction among users. Digital media has also served as a voice for social platforms to convey social issues and injustices, bring awareness to world events, and has been used by businesses as a tool for overall exposure. Everyone can access digital media and use it however they choose. With this freedom of access, comes an abundance of material and information that is written, displayed, or advertised that some may deem as inappropriate, unsuitable for users, or wrong. In addition, with the creative works of others being easy to access and capture, protecting the ownership of that creative work can be a task; thus, allowing others to use or claim as their own. Many ethical questions now arise with the continuous growth in the usage of digital media. So, who does determine what is wrong or right for digital media? Are there any ethical standards or laws applied to accessing digital media or how it is used?

How is ethics applied to digital media? As we know, ethics are moral principles that determine right from wrong. Moral principles apply to people who are the ones who control digital media. What some deem as right, others may disagree with. We live in a multicultural world, so there will be some conflict in morals and values. This is where the ethical challenges and dilemmas in digital media lie. We must look for common ethical principles. We have to look at the person’s action and the effect of their action. For example, if the user posts an altered picture of someone that is seen by hundreds of people, how does their action affect that person that is in that picture?

Let’s take a look at some questions that users should ask when making an ethical decision regarding the usage and application of digital media.

Digital Media Ethical Questions

There is no media ethical guardian that exists today, but there are some laws that have been created to protect creative works published through digital media. Although digital media is embedded in our lives in many ways and for most users, it is used for personal uses and connections. What we write, create, and display can reach millions and have a profound effect on those beyond our reach in both positive and/or negative ways.

 

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