Assignment 2
In the third show of the first season of the newsroom, anchor Will Mcavoy gives an intelligent and heartwarming speech on how the viewers of their news show have been wronged.” And so tonight I’m beginning this newscast by joining Mr. Clarke in apologizing to the American people for our failure. The failure of this program during the time I’ve been in charge of it to successfully inform and educate the American electorate.” (Podeswa, 2012)Mcavoy speech does not end here, he goes along and says that they will not air any advertisements and it will be one hour of unadulterated news.” From this moment on, we’ll be deciding what goes on our air and how it’s presented to you based on the simple truth that nothing is more important to a democracy than a well-informed electorate. “ (Podeswa, 2012)
Mcavoy seems to be consistent in his search for truth and unbiased news following non- consequentialist way of presenting news. The truth and nothing but it seems to be Mcavoy’s take.” We’ll be the champion of facts and the mortal enemy of innuendo, speculation, hyperbole, and nonsense.” (Podeswa, 2012)
“Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.”(Society of Professional Journalists , 2014)
The following quote is taken from the Society of Professional Journalism. I used the following quote in specific to emphasize on how Mcavoy changed from that episode to the one where he attacks a gay black republican.
Mcavoy keeps attacking his interviewee, throughout the whole interview. He barely gives him a chance to rebuttal his argument which does not follow the journalistic code of ethics which involves “
— Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant. (Society of Professional Journalists , 2014)
Mcavoy, also begins to yell at his interviewee at some point and begins to dis him personally. “ Does it bother you that Mr Sanatorum think there’s something wrong with you that should be fixed,” said Mcavoy. (Podeswa, 2012)
Disregarding peoples dignity does not justify seeking the truth, in such a case exposing the wrong person.
Event though Mcavoy seeks to follow a non- consequentialist perspective, he swerves from that perspective. Non- consequentialist believe that “Ends do NOT justify the means.” So a journalist can’t be abusive so he can achieve the truth. Also
“Human beings shall never be used or abused to achieve a higher end. “ (Ward) (Podeswa, 2012)
However, from a consequentialist perspective, Mcavoy took into consideration the need of the many which therefore allowed him to break his main ethical rules, which is not saying his opinion, and started the “ tyranny of the many”. (Ward)
Sadly, Mcavoy breaks his promise of being a perfect journalist. In his show, Mcavoy becomes overly aggressive and rude. Which is not the virtue of a journalist who argue that a journalist should “– Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.” (Society of Professional Journalists , 2014)
What gives this person the right to belittle a person. First of all, Mcavoy is fighting a mere supporter, not the actual candidate. Also, the interviewee did at one chance say, that he does not support everything the candidate believes in. Mcavoy should have simply stopped at that statement since he was fighting the wrong person after that.
Certainly Mcavoy could have fought his battle differently, he should have just asked the supporter of the republican candidate why he’s with this particular candidate, and how does he feel voting for a president who disregards what he believes in and his lifestyle. Mcavoy had no right to belittle his interviewee.
Bibliography
Ward, J. S. Theorizing About Ethics . In Ethics and the Media . Cambridge University Press.
Podeswa, J. (Director). (2012). The Newsroom [Motion Picture].
Society of Professional Journalists . (2014, September 6). SPJ Code of Ethics. Retrieved from Society of Professional Journalists : http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp