Assignment 2: Truth vs Harm

Will McAvoy’s (a fictional character played by Jeff Daniels) “The Newsroom” has fairly handled topics in the media in an ethical manner (as ethical as media can be). But when does one’s Ego get in the way? When does the presenter’s pride take center stage?

The Newsroom reinforces the fact that they will deliver the truth in fairness and objectivity on their website. What is interesting is that the show uses fictional characters to deliver that which hides them from a mess they may cause. Was Will McAvoy right to insist on having the last word in the interview with Nick Santorum’s aid?

During that interview the overall mood got aggressive and at one point it felt as if McAvoy was trying to be the dominant persona. Media journalistic ethics aim to spread the news that benefits the largest number of people with the least damage. Yet that very principle was thrown out the window in this situation. When your guest is pushed to shouting and being enraged, you may have broken a rule or two as an interviewer.

The concept of being a “Fictional Character” creates this illusion-shield that protects “The Newsroom” from what mistakes they may commit (consciously or unconsciously). Ethically you shouldn’t use that to your advantage since it is a form a manipulation and deception. “ Why fact check a statement from a fictional character? We check it for the same reason we fact check other statements: To determine whether they’re true or not and how they might mislead people.” (White, 2013). At one point people should look past the fiction and comprehend whether or not what they're being told is true or not. How McAvoy began almost attacking his guest not only breaks the core principles of Journalist ethics, but also frames the interview to make the viewers see the issue in a different way.

Rather than bringing out information, McAvoy was acting aggressively towards the interviewee with words like “Disgusting”. Not to mention how he asked the interviewee if it “bothers him” that Mr. Sanatorium thinks there is something wrong with him that needs fixing. The question itself can be a way to bring out information but the way McAvoy used it was simply an example of how he was pressuring his guest & being emotionally manipulative (another unethical action as a Journalist).

The way the entire interview flowed was just a mess. A good Journalist should understand the matter and it’s consequences, not mention be professional at handling sensitive topics or any topic for that matter. The way McAvoy handled things is unjustifiable and simply wrong according to the basic principles of Journalism and Media ethics in general.

Reference:

White, B. (July 23, 2013). The Newsroom’ speech: America not the greatest country in the world. Retrieved from: http://www.zebrafactcheck.com/the- a newsroom-speech-is-america-not-the-greatest-country-in-the-world/