The foundation of ethics in journalism relies on truthfulness, integrity, and accountability in storytelling. In class, students will discuss the history of mass media, one that is rooted in upholding racial, political, and socio-economic inequality in America. In that continuum, students will examine the current crises and reckonings in commercialized news media that include objectivity, spin, local news, single narratives, and inequity. Students will analyze reporting practices, the higher functions for news media, and journalism as a public good. Students will identify best practices for news storytelling and make ethical decisions on deadline. Students will read works by revolutionary voices, learn about social movement media, and create media visions for paths forward.

This course situates contemporary U.S. journalism in its historical context and grounds students in the fundamental ethical principles of the discipline. Students will examine the role that journalism plays as a check on power in a democratic system, looking at times when the profession has succeeded or failed in that goal. Readings and discussions will focus on critical episodes in media history, from the Zenger trial and the rise of professional news-gathering to the Pentagon Papers and current challenges to a free press. Students will also examine the impact of disruptive technologies like radio, television and the Internet, and will be introduced to some of the profession’s greatest American practitioners, including Edward R. Murrow, Woodward and Bernstein, Ida B. Wells, and Ida Tarbell. Case studies involving ethical dilemmas in journalism will be presented for class discussion and debate, such as concepts like objectivity and independence and addressing biases based on factors like gender, religion, political party, or race.

The foundation of ethics in journalism relies on truthfulness, integrity, and accountability in storytelling. In class, students will discuss the history of mass media, one that is rooted in upholding racial, political, and socio-economic inequality in America. In that continuum, students will examine the current crises and reckonings in commercialized news media that include objectivity, equity, local news, and single narratives. Students will analyze higher functions for news media, its forms, and journalism as a public good for the needs in society. Students will learn about media law and make ethical decisions on deadline. Students will read works by revolutionary voices; identify best practices for news storytelling; and create media visions for paths forward.

The foundation of ethics in journalism relies on truthfulness, integrity, and accountability in storytelling. In class, students will discuss the history of mass media, one that is rooted in upholding racial, political, and socio-economic inequality in America. In that continuum, students will examine the current crises and reckonings in commercialized news media that include objectivity, equity, local news, and single narratives. Students will analyze higher functions for news media, its forms, and journalism as a public good for the needs in society. Students will learn about media law and make ethical decisions on deadline. Students will read works by revolutionary voices; identify best practices for news storytelling; and create media visions for paths forward.