Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2006 / Ethical issues arise from our interaction with other people, especially at the point
where there is potential or actual conflict of interests. In many cases, what is right
for one person might not be right for other people. And, in some cases, doing the
right thing might involve placing the greater good ahead of specific benefits that
might accrue to oneself. Ethical choices, therefore, involve a trade-off or
compromise between the interests and rights of different parties.
Newspapers inform the public about events in government and the broader
society. In doing so, they act within the bounds of legislation and ethical codes of
conduct that are inherent in the South African society. In Limpopo Province, the
newspapers are more often at loggerhead with the Department of Education
when reporting on educational matters. The department claims that reporters do
not report fairly and accurately about the activities of officials. Reporters flatly
deny these allegations. Who then, of the two institutions, act ethically when
executing its social mandate?
Flowing from the question posed in the above paragraph, the problem of the
ethical conduct of newspaper reporters in reporting on educational matters in the
Department of Education in the Limpopo Province arises. Newspaper reporters
have to adhere to and act in accordance with ethical codes of conduct, either
institutional or societal. In making ethical choices about what is right, newspapers
are faced with dilemmas. An ethical dilemma arises in a situation whereby it is
difficult to tell right from wrong because all the alternatives may have potentially
negative consequences. But, irrespective of the dilemmas that reporters face,
reporters must report ethically, fairly and accurately.
The Department of Education in the Limpopo Province sometimes questions the
validity of the criteria that newspapers use in the evaluation and publication of
information. The question frequently asked is, “How can newspapers fight for
honesty and integrity when they themselves are less than honest in getting a
story?” The department is, therefore, concerned about newspaper reporters who
slant news and discredit the department when reporting on educational matters.
To the department, this is unethical reporting.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/140 |
| Date | 13 May 2010 |
| Creators | Machaka, Tsheko Frans |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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