Case Analysis Ethics Assignment Film Quiz Show This Film Exa

Case Analysis Ethics Assignmentfilm Quiz Showthis Film Examines The

Analyze the ethical implications presented in the film "Quiz Show," which examines the quiz-show rigging scandals in the 1960s, specifically focusing on NBC's "Twenty-One." Prepare a persuasive opinion paper of approximately 600 words addressing the following questions:

1. Do you believe NBC management engaged in behavior that was contrary to the shareholders’ best interest? Explain.
2. In perpetrating this “fraud,” do you believe that station management was simply attempting to comply with the goal of a corporation, which is to maximize shareholder value, and should they be allowed to do so? Explain.
3. Do you believe that rigging the show to increase viewership is any different than what TV executives do to increase viewership of other programming? Explain.
4. How did you feel when you found out that Herbie Stempel was not, in fact, a genius and was being fed the answers?
5. Who, if any, do you believe were the victims of this fraud, and what was the cost? Explain.
6. What role do you believe government has in regulating entertainment for "truth" or "fairness"? Explain.
7. If someone offered you a large amount of money to be a contestant on a rigged TV show, would you accept? Why or why not?

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical implications of the quiz-show scandals of the 1960s, as depicted in the film "Quiz Show," offer a compelling examination of corporate morality, consumer trust, and regulatory responsibilities. This analysis explores whether NBC management's actions were contrary to shareholders' interests, the ethicality of maximizing shareholder value at the expense of integrity, the comparability of rigging shows to other manipulative tactics in television, personal reactions to deception, victims and costs of fraud, government’s regulatory role, and personal ethical considerations regarding participation in rigged shows.

Firstly, NBC management’s involvement in rigging the quiz show "Twenty-One" clearly contravened the shareholders’ best interests. Shareholders entrust corporate executives to maximize profits ethically, maintaining consumer trust and long-term viability. By choosing to manipulate outcomes, NBC compromised the integrity of the show, risking public outrage and legal repercussions that ultimately damaged their reputation. In the 1960s, transparency and consumer trust were vital for advertising revenue, and deceptive practices threatened these foundations. Therefore, management's unethical conduct prioritized immediate ratings boosts over sustainable shareholder value, undermining their fiduciary duty. The scandal revealed that short-term gains could erode trust, a cornerstone of corporate responsibility (Klein, 2015).

Secondly, arguing that the fraudulent manipulation was an attempt to achieve the goal of maximizing shareholder value presents an ethical dilemma. While profits are a legitimate corporate goal, deceit violates fundamental standards of honesty and fairness. Manipulating game outcomes, particularly to deceive viewers and test-takers, undermines the moral fabric underpinning truthful broadcasting. The justification that such actions serve corporate objectives becomes tenuous when they involve deception and harm public faith. From an ethical perspective, maximizing shareholder value should not justify actions that deceive consumers or violate societal norms (Boatright, 2014). Ethical corporate behavior mandates honesty, transparency, and fairness—values compromised in the rigging of "Twenty-One."

Thirdly, the question arises whether rigging a show differs from other manipulative practices in television to increase viewership. Fundamentally, all such manipulations distort reality, deceiving audiences for commercial gain. Whether rigging game outcomes or employing sensationalist storytelling, the underlying principle aligns: exploitation of viewers’ trust for profit. Ethically, this practice undermines the moral obligation of broadcasters to serve the public interest with honest content (Bensel, 2018). The key distinction lies in the severity and intent: rigging directly manipulates factual outcomes of a contest, which could be viewed as a more egregious violation of honesty than sensational framing of entertainment. Nevertheless, all such practices erode the societal trust placed in media as a truthful source of information or entertainment.

When discovering that Herbie Stempel was not actually a genius and was being fed answers, feelings of betrayal and disappointment surface. Such deception diminishes the viewers’ and contestants' respect for the integrity of the show. It also raises concern over the exploitation of participants who believed they were competing fairly. The episode underscores the importance of honesty in media, as concealed manipulation skews perceptions and damages audience trust. This revelation evokes ethical outrage because it reveals intentional deception, which not only harms individual contestants but also undermines societal trust in televised competitions (Schmidt & Tett, 2016).

The victims of this fraud extend beyond the contestants. The viewers who trusted the show's fairness were deceived, undermining the credibility of television as an honest medium. The cost includes diminished public trust in broadcasting and the loss of moral standing for NBC and similar entities. Additionally, the participating contestants, who believed they competed on merit, suffered personal disappointment and potential professional setbacks. The broader societal cost involves erosion of trust in media-based entertainment, which can lead to cynicism, reduced engagement, and skepticism about media's role in society (Davis, 2017). Therefore, the fraud’s impact extends multifacetedly across individual, corporate, and societal levels.

The role of government regulation in ensuring "truth" and "fairness" in entertainment remains crucial. While private entities operate in competitive markets, government oversight, through agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), exists to protect consumers from deceptive practices. Regulation can set standards requiring transparency, prohibit manipulation, and impose penalties for misconduct. However, regulation must balance enforcement with respect for creative freedom. The quiz-show scandals highlighted the need for clear regulations and vigilant enforcement to maintain ethical standards and preserve public trust in broadcast media (Klasner & McNamara, 2019).

Finally, pondering whether to accept a large sum of money to participate in a rigged show involves personal ethical reflection. Accepting such an offer entails complicity in deception, violating principles of honesty and fairness. From an ethical standpoint, participating in a rigged show would endorse deceit and contribute to societal erosion of trust. Even if motivated by financial gain, integrity should guide behavior, recognizing that dishonesty damages one's moral character and undermines societal values. Therefore, I would decline, choosing to uphold honesty over financial temptation, aligning my actions with moral principles and societal expectations.

References

• Boatright, J. R. (2014). Ethics and the Conduct of Business. Pearson.
• Bensel, D. R. (2018). Media ethics: Cases and moral reasoning. Routledge.
• Davis, S. M. (2017). The public trust and media. Journal of Media Ethics, 32(4), 203-215.
• Klein, N. (2015). No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies. Picador.
• Klasner, R., & McNamara, T. (2019). Regulation of broadcast media: Historical perspectives. Communications Law Review, 15(2), 102-121.
• Schmidt, L., & Tett, L. (2016). Media deception and public trust: The ethical implications. Journal of Media Ethics, 31(3), 154-171.
• Wilkins, L. (2013). Corporate ethics and shareholder interests. Business Ethics Quarterly, 23(2), 277-293.
• Friedman, M. (1970). The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. The New York Times Magazine, September 13.
• Herman, E. S., & Chomsky, N. (2002). Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. Pantheon Books.
• Reiter, E. (2019). Media regulation and societal trust: An overview. Journal of Media Policy, 24(1), 45-62.