Journalist’s Ethics
A journalist is supposed to seek the truth and report it. This principle requires that journalists should be fair and accurate on what they are reporting, to avoid controversies created by painting the wrong picture of situations. The journalist, in this case, John Gillespie, was also courageous and honest in the collection of his information, as he wanted to film the arrest as it occurred. There is no doubt that the reporter sought the truth and had the TV station report it. The reporter observed the virtue of confidence by aiding the arrest of the wanted man.
The reporter minimized the arm that would have been caused if the criminal would have been arrested using illegal amounts of force. The TV aired the tape in a way that would have minimal effects on both the reporter and the station. In the arrest of the wanted person, the reporter did not violate any personal dignity and respect of the man. The TV station also did not air the tape in a bid to destroy the respect accorded to human beings. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
The journalist acted independently to the service of the public. By choosing to help in the arrest of the wanted drug dealer, the reporter acted, not only in the best interest of the public but also independent of any sideshow feelings. The TV station, by airing the tap, acted in the best interests of the citizens as it helped to create awareness and to offer a moral lesson to people on the kind of choices that they should do if they ever found themselves in similar circumstances.
The journalist acted in a transparent and accountable manner. He explained to the public, in an interview. Why he chose to act in the manner that he acted, he answered to the public his moral inclinations towards his conduct during the period of arrest. The TV station also acted transparently by airing the tape to show vivid details of the arrest and give the journalist the chance to explain how and why he aided in the arrest of the wanted man. There is no doubt he acted in a transparent and accountable manner.
Part III: Ethical Frameworks.
Utilitarianism is acting in a manner that will bring maximum benefits to society against the loses at hand. In this case, the benefits that the journalist considered before acting were, setting a moral lesson to the public on how to act, and also helping the society get rid of a criminal, which he felt was his moral obligation. He chose to appreciate that letting the criminal escape would put society into more danger of being terrorized by the criminal. In this instance, the journalist acted towards the greater good of society.
A categorical imperative is the obligation to follow the moral duty without considering the consequences that may ensue. The journalist, in his actions, decided to follow his moral inclination of helping the police arrest the wanted man, even if he did not know what crime the man had committed. John was aware that the police have taken part in malicious arrests, but chose to discharge his moral obligation by aiding the arrest. The TV station also acted in a categorically imperative manner by airing the tape, despite being aware that the action would expose John to the gang that the criminal was working with.
Ubuntu is an ethical principle that requires one to share society concerning one another’s humanity. The journalist worked in the belief that he is who he is because society has made him that way. It is the society that has given him the obligation to serve them in the best interests, and that is exactly what he discharged. The aiding in the arrest was a share of respect for humanity and society. By airing the tape, the TV station also acted in respect to the ubuntu principle and acted in the most humane way possible towards the society.
If I were in the same situation, I would follow the moral duty in my actions. The man was a criminal, and the police wanted him for his various offenses. As a journalist, my priority is service to society, and that is what I would prioritize on. I would have acted in the same manner as John did but helping the police arrest if the man came my way. The only way to make society a better place is by working with law enforcement officers to help minimize crime rates.
As a journalist, I would react in the same manner as the staff of the TV station by airing the videotape. Airing the videotape had a lot of moral lessons to the society, and airing it would have more positive implications to the society. The TV station observed virtues such as transparency and courage in the airing of the tape. The TV station staff were aware that the videotape would teach the society that it is the moral obligation of everyone in the society to act in the best manner that serves the society. Given the situation of the journalist, I would act in the same manner.