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Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Journalism and Media Ethics

Journalism and Media Ethics

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics explores ethical issues in journalism and media.

What is Journalism and Media Ethics?

by Subramaniam Vincent, director of Journalism and Media Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.

We are dedicated to helping media producers, journalists, product designers, members of the public, and critics develop ways to address pressing -- and persistent -- ethical dilemmas that continue to have wide-reaching consequences for us all. The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics is uniquely well-positioned to provide ethical frameworks to help stakeholders proactively identify and analyze normative questions from the early stages to later in delivery cycles, while at the same time enriching the ongoing debates in these spheres.

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Journalism Source Diversity Dashboard and Monitor

A WordPress Source Diversity Dashboard and Monitor toolkit is a prototype addressing gaps with human-augmented technology in journalism with quoting patterns self-monitoring for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) norms.

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News Distribution Ethics Roundtable

The News Distribution Roundtable recommends that news platforms and aggregators make their distribution mechanics more transparent and constructs a set of guidelines based on rights, harms, and discourse. 

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Recent Journalism and Media Ethics Commentary
Viral Twitter hashtag coined by April Reign following the 87th Academy Awards, photo courtesy of the LA Times.

While the usual festivities and celebration surrounding the annual Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars, commenced on the silver screen, perhaps what has emerged to be an awakening for Hollywood was gaining traction behind the scenes.

How might news platforms and products ensure that ethical journalism on chronic issues is not drowned out by the noise of runaway political news cycles?

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Why do people disagree so passionately about what is right and how can journalists unpack political speech and reframe their questions to get past those disagreements?

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Subbu Vincent on Ethics and Broadcast News

This episode features a conversation with Subbu Vincent, Director of Media and Journalism Ethics at the Markkula Center. Why did Fox News fire Tucker Carlson? And why did CNN fire Don Lemon? Do broadcast news networks follow any code of ethics? 

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Ethical Considerations for Student Reporters, Editors, and News Consumers

Student journalists, student editors, and student news consumers often plunge into the news ecosystem without much guidance or formal training. What foundational knowledge might help budding news consumers as well as student journalists and editors?

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Ethics and Misinformation

Joan Donovan, Ph.D., Research Director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Director of the Technology and Social Change project (TaSC), and Author of Meme Wars., spoke about the connection between ethics and misinformation and the philosophical frameworks for how to research, report on, and understand this moment in internet history and American politics.

Journalism and Media Ethics Resources
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Navigate here to Journalism and Media Articles

Articles on journalism and media ethics including trust, accuracy, engagement, data journalism, and inclusiveness.


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Navigate here to Journalism and Media Case Studies

Case studies pertaining to ethical issues in journalism and media ethics.


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Navigate here to Journalism and Media Resources

More resources for journalists and others in the media field including videos, ethics codes, and student examples.


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Journalism and Media Ethics Council

As ethical issues in the media are increasingly relevant to today’s climate this team of professionals from public, private, and academic sectors collaborates with the Ethics Center to identify and prioritize complex issues.

Meet the JME Council

Media Commentary
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Subramaniam Vincent, director of journalism and media ethics, published by Forbes.

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Subbu Vincent's article on journalism and AI was referenced by the Financial Times.

Subbu Vincent, director, journalism and media ethics, published in Forbes.

Forbes Logo: A white capital

Subramaniam Vincent, director of journalism and media ethics, and newest Forbes monthly columnist, published by Forbes.

Solidarity and Ethical Journalism: Aligning Journalism with Accuracy, not Neutrality

With solidarity techniques, journalists do what the most celebrated journalism has always done in this country: insist on representing truthful narratives, amplify sources who have the most insight into an issue, and leverage public means of communication in the service of conveying outrage at people’s dignity being stripped away. 

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