Deck 12: Charting Your Ethical Course

Question 1

The three most widely used professional ethics codes by broadcast journalists are

A) SPJ, RTDNA, and NPPA.
B) CBS, SPJ, and AP.
C) AP, Reuters, and NPR.
D) SPJ, RTDNA, and NPR.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Identify which concept of the ethical code includes the important requirement that journalists "know the facts."

A) credibility
B) non‐partisanship
C) integrity
D) truthfulness

Answer 2

A

Question 3

THE BAFT test of objectivity indicates the four letters B‐A‐F‐ T stand for

A) blogging, accuracy, field reports, and tweets.
B) blogging, accurate, Facebook, and Twitter.
C) balanced, accurate, fair and true.
D) broadcast, android, Facebook, and television.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

During a political campaign the ethical codes suggest journalists should

A) use their freedom of expression to support any candidate of their choice by posting "likes" on social media and placing bumper stickers on their car.
B) keep their political leanings to themselves and not posting on websites or displaying their choices in any public way.
C) only post their preferences on social media but not in public space such as a yard sign on the front lawn or a bumper sticker on a car.
D) do not reveal your preferences on any social media platform.

Question 5

Ethics code warns journalists about conflicts of interest Some codes specifically forbid taking "freebies." An example of freebies would be

A) media guest passes at Disneyland resorts.
B) ski passes to resorts.
C) free tickets to concerts.
D) all of the above.

Question 6

A famous journalism ethical case became the focal point in the movie "Shattered Glass." The journalist featured was

A) Stephen Glass.
B) Jayson Blair.
C) Janet Cooke.
D) Rupert Murdoch.

Question 7

A Washington Post staff reporter made up a story about an 8‐year‐old heroin addict, which won a Pulitzer prize before the deceit was discovered. The journalist was

A) Stephen Glass.
B) Jayson Blair.
C) Janet Cooke.
D) Andrew Mitchell.

Question 8

Which of the following is a way to control your own ego and maintain a solid ethical foundation in your career?

A) create and frequently refer to your own code of professional ethics Eight Core Concepts
B) you shouldn't try to control your ego or you will never be promoted
C) always ask the boss when faced with an ethical challenge
D) always ask a co‐worker when faced with an ethical challenge

Question 9

Walter Cronkite believes journalists should be as cynical as the story warrants.

Question 10

RTDNA stands for Radio Television News Directors Association.

Question 11

Facts are the building blocks of stories.

Question 12

Burning a source refers to inspiring a subject to speak on the record.

Question 13

Agency is the concept based on the idea of having the freedom to choose and to act.

Question 14

When loyalties conflict, an ethical issue is often at the root.

Question 15

Objectivity relates only to word choice and not to the images selected to match them.

Question 16

An important principle in the RTDNA Code of Ethics is public trust.

Question 17

According to RTDNA, professional electronic journalists should continuously seek the truth.

Question 18

Both the SPJ and RTDNA code have specific sections of their ethics code devoted to truth.

Question 19

NPPA code indicates it is OK to stage events or settings to make a compelling photo.

Question 20

Beliefs that we hold deep in our hearts are known as _____.

Question 21

A code that guides our conduct is also known as a(n) _____ code.

Question 22

SPJ are the three letters that stand for _____ -a professional journalism organization that began as a college

Question 23

NPPA is the organization that represents photographers across all media platforms. The letters NPPA stand for _____.

Question 24

The name of the journalism organization whose majority of members comes from the field of broadcasting is _____.

Question 25

The K in the Cronkite code refers to how the journalist should treat the audience, co‐workers and sources. The K
stands for _____.

Question 26

The C in the CRONKITE code of ethics stands for _____.

Question 27

The O in the Cronkite code of ethics stands for _____.

Question 28

The E in the Cronkite code of ethics stands for _____.

Question 29

Walter Cronkite is described as one of the earliest"converged" journalists able to work in both _____ and _____ news.

Question 30

The theologian who defined ethics as "nothing but reverence for life" is _____.

Question 31

According to ethics scholars Wilkins & Patterson the "single biggest threat to professional excellence is increasing pressure to _____."

Question 32

The part of the SPJ code that states journalists should treat sources, subjects, and colleagues with respect comes under the section _____.

Question 33

Which ethical code would be of most use to newspaper journalists?

Question 34

Walter Cronkite became the most trusted man in America for a time in part because of his ethical standards. What is one way to think about his ethical beliefs?

Question 35

How do you lose credibility?

Question 36

How do you maintain credibility?

Question 37

What do the codes say about objectivity?

Question 38

What is meant by fairness as listed in the RTDNA code?

Question 39

What is one way to minimize harm as indicated in the SPJ code?

Question 40

What are the differences between values and ethics?

Question 41

Compare and contrasts two of the major journalism ethics codes and their guidance on one area such as privacy or dealing with death and tragedy.

Question 42

As a journalist how do you gain and maintain credibility?

Question 43

One way to maintain objectivity as a journalist is to know and use the BAFT test. What is it and how does it work?

Question 44

As a journalist to what extent, if any, can you be involved in politics?