The ethical delimma of journalist

A detailed Summary of The ethical delimma of journalist

Society must have media law to protect confidentiality of people and organizations, as moral principles would not sometimes rescue them from journalism greed. The example of rape case would powerfully explain how important of media law is, in order to protect the victim. Furthermore, public figures such as Politicians and Film Stars are greatly suffering from the intrusion of privacy. Journalists must now have some strategies to minimize harm in particular case.

Breach of confidence is a civil remedy ordering protection against disclosure or/and use of non-public information without authority of person who has imparted it (Robertson &Nicol, 1990, p. 134). Press has rights to express beliefs and judgment about persons, but they might reveal unnecessary information, which brings embarrassment and painful facts to someone. Furthermore, some of information is still inappropriate and dangerous for public to know (Klaidman &Beauchamp, 1987, p.11).

The example of rape case would vigorously illustrate the importance of media law and the absence of journalism morality. Since the Criminal Justice Act 1988 there is restriction to keep rape complainants as anonymous in

What should journalists do then, if father who is accused of raping daughter has become a real criminal? Journalists need to be careful with the application of law as well as ethical values of their profession. Revelation of criminal name must serve to the public interest; otherwise journalists should find other news angle. Perhaps, newspapers should tell story as a man rapes someone lese instead or say that father has been found guilty, but identification is not approval in order to protect his daughter reputation. Newspapers must present the truth, but if the truth is dangerous it needs to explain to public.

Robertson, G. &Nicol, A. (1990). Media Law. London: Longman Group.

Therefore, newspapers could breach confidence when it is such time to protect public rights as well as informing people crucial information. In some nation-states, they concerned rights of person accused crime to be sealed during the time of arrest and it became challenge for journalists. For instance, in 1969, the New Jersey, USA, legislature closed one criminal records, E.B, an Englewood man who was charged of his conviction to rape and murder two twelve-year-old boys, so tightly that police officers and journalists could not reveal who was arrested or sentenced. In 1989, E.B was released and stayed quietly with his wife in suburban area for another six years. In July 1994, United States had Megan's law and society began to confess with big controversy. The Sliwa group, guardian angel forced news organization to find out who E.B man is and wanted to have his real name published. They claimed that why could not newspapers run the name of a man who killed two kids by stabbing at the back twenty one times, tortured and raped them? Public still remained anger even though twenty-six years had gone. It was true that E.B crimes were monstrous and everyone had a right to know who he is. The court was given the time to rule the ca

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