Question 1

Which of the following has led to a tendency to cut ethical corners or simply ignore ethics altogether?&#10;A) Technology&#10;B) Increased competition&#10;C) Shifting cultural standards&#10;D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the mentioned factors - technology, increased competition, and shifting cultural standards - have contributed to the tendency to cut ethical corners or ignore ethics altogether. Technology has made it easier to engage in unethical behavior, such as hacking and cyberbullying. Increased competition can lead to pressure to achieve results at any cost, even if it means crossing ethical boundaries. Shifting cultural standards can make it difficult to know what is considered ethical behavior in a given moment.

Question 2

By far, the most pervasive ethical problem faced by members of the sports media is:&#10;A) Conflict of interest&#10;B) Perks&#10;C) Advertising&#10;D) Reporter-athlete relationships

Accepted Answer

Conflict of interest arises when a sports journalist is biased towards a particular team or individual due to personal or professional relationships or benefits gained. This can compromise the integrity of the journalist and undermine the credibility of their work, which is essential in the field of journalism. Therefore, it is crucial for members of the sports media to maintain objectivity and report on sporting events without any external influences.

Question 3

Some of the most obvious conflicts of interest are:&#10;A) When players get traded&#10;B) When sports media and teams are owned by the same company&#10;C) When a team advertises&#10;D) When a sports journalist is truthful in his or her criticism of a team

Accepted Answer

When sports media and teams are owned by the same company, there is a potential conflict of interest as the media may be less likely to criticize the team or report negative news that could hurt the team's reputation or financial success. This can compromise the integrity of the media's reporting and can be concerning for fans who rely on unbiased reporting.

Question 4

The inclination of local media to favor local teams and issues while downplaying or ignoring their problems is called:&#10;A) Conflict of interest&#10;B) Gatekeeping&#10;C) Boosterism&#10;D) &#34;Infotainment&#34;

Accepted Answer

Boosterism refers to the tendency of local media to promote and support their local teams and issues, often to the point of downplaying or ignoring negative aspects or problems. This can result in biased or incomplete reporting of the news.

Question 5

What can motivate or make it easier for the media to take sides in reporting sports stories?&#10;A) It's easy to do well&#10;B) The huge amounts of money involved these days&#10;C) Everybody likes to criticize and always agrees on what side to take&#10;D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

The huge amounts of money involved in sports today can motivate or make it easier for the media to take sides in reporting certain sports stories, such as scandals or financial disputes. This may be because controversy and drama tend to attract more attention and generate higher ratings, resulting in more revenue for media outlets. While the other options may play a role in media bias, they are not as significant as the financial incentives.

Question 6

In the earlier days of professional sports and sports reporting, athlete-reporter friendships were not unusual. That situation has changed drastically in recent years because of:&#10;A) Technology&#10;B) An increase in the number of sports reporters covering teams&#10;C) The salary gap between the two parties&#10;D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Technology has made it easier for athletes and reporters to communicate directly, without the need for a personal connection. An increase in the number of sports reporters covering teams means that athletes are more likely to encounter reporters they do not know, making it less likely for friendships to form. Lastly, the salary gap between athletes and reporters has grown, resulting in a greater divide between the two professions. All of these factors have contributed to the decline in athlete-reporter friendships.

Question 7

Another recent development in sports journalism creating ethical dilemmas is:&#10;A) Gatekeeping&#10;B) Homerism&#10;C) Citizen journalism&#10;D) Perks

Accepted Answer

Citizen journalism allows for everyday individuals to report on and share sports news and highlights, which can create ethical dilemmas as their level of expertise, bias, and credibility may be called into question. Additionally, the spread of false information and rumors can be damaging to the athletes and teams involved.

Deck 10: Ethics