Seven Step Guide For Ethical Decision Making

Seven-Step Guide for Ethical Decision Making

Adapted from Michael Davis, Ethics and the University (Routledge, London, 1999), pp. 166-67. SEVEN-STEP GUIDE FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING. The guide involves seven distinct steps: 1) State the problem; 2) Check facts; 3) Identify relevant factors; 4) Develop a list of options; 5) Test the options using various ethical tests; 6) Make a choice based on the earlier steps; 7) Review steps 1-6 and consider safeguards to prevent future dilemmas. The process emphasizes careful analysis, imagination in generating options, and applying multiple ethical tests to evaluate choices.

Paper For Above instruction

This paper applies the seven-step ethical decision-making guide to analyze a real-world ethical dilemma encountered in the media. The chosen scenario involves a journalist who discovers that a widely read newspaper has knowingly published false information to enhance sales, raising questions about honesty, responsibility, and professional integrity. By systematically exploring each of the seven steps, I will demonstrate the application of this framework to resolve complex ethical issues effectively.

1. State the problem

The ethical dilemma arises from the journalist's realization that the newspaper has published false information, possibly intentionally, to increase readership and sales. The core issue is whether the journalist should remain silent, challenge the publication, or confront the editors about the unethical conduct. The discomfort stems from conflicting duties—to report truthfully and uphold journalistic integrity versus fears of professional retribution or career jeopardy. The problem is whether to expose the falsehoods or to remain complicit in the unethical practice.

2. Check facts

Investigating the situation reveals that the newspaper has published an article based on dubious sources that later proved to be false. Internal communications show that the editorial staff was aware of the inaccuracies but decided to publish anyway to capitalize on a sensational story. The journalist verifies that the false information was not a mistake but a deliberate choice. The organization’s policies emphasize accuracy, but economic pressures seem to have overridden these standards in this instance. These facts highlight a serious ethical breach that compels action.

3. Identify relevant factors

Several factors influence this decision, including the legal obligation to avoid defamation, the professional code of journalism emphasizing truthfulness and accountability, and organizational pressures for profit. The involved parties include the journalists, editors, the public readership, and the newspaper's owners. Potential consequences include damage to public trust, legal liability if falsehoods lead to libel suits, and personal repercussions for whistleblowers. Ethical considerations include honesty, integrity, social responsibility, and the potential harm caused by disseminating false information.

4. Develop a list of options

The journalist has multiple options beyond remaining silent or conforming: (a) confront the editors privately; (b) submit an anonymous tip to a news oversight body; (c) publish a public statement revealing the falsehoods; (d) seek employment elsewhere; (e) escalate the issue to external watchdog organizations or regulatory agencies; (f) collaborate with colleagues to draft a collective response; (g) decide to resign from the newspaper; and (h) initiate a legal action if necessary. These options vary in risk and potential impact but all aim to uphold journalistic integrity.

5. Test the options

• Harm test: Does this action do less harm? Public exposure may harm the newspaper's reputation but prevents ongoing misinformation; staying silent risks public harm. Resigning could protect personal integrity but harm colleagues.
• Publicity test: Would I want this decision published? Publicly revealing the misconduct would likely be viewed as ethically appropriate, bolstering credibility.
• Defensibility test: Can I justify this decision ethically? Confronting or exposing unethical conduct aligns with journalistic standards and would withstand scrutiny.
• Reversibility test: Would I be comfortable if this decision applied to me? It would be acceptable if I were in the public's eye and my work was based on truthfulness.
• Colleague test: What would my peers think? Ethical journalism groups support transparency and accountability, favoring exposing misconduct.
• Organization test: What would organizational leadership advise? Internal policies emphasize integrity, likely supporting whistleblowing.
• Virtue test: Would a virtuous person act this way? Honesty, courage, and responsibility are virtues promoted in journalism, and acting according to them would suggest exposing the misconduct.

6. Make a choice

Considering all the tests, the most ethically sound decision appears to be confronting the editors directly and, if unreceptive, escalating the issue externally or whistleblowing. This option aligns with journalistic values of truth and accountability, minimizes harm, is defensible publicly, and embodies virtues such as honesty and courage. It also safeguards the integrity of the profession and protects the public from misinformation.

7. Review steps and safeguards

To reduce future dilemmas, the journalist could advocate for stronger organizational policies on fact-checking and transparency, seek support from professional associations, or participate in ethics training. Creating a culture of ethical accountability within the organization and establishing clear channels for raising concerns can prevent similar issues. Additionally, engaging with external watchdogs or regulatory bodies can serve as a safeguard when internal avenues are ineffective.

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