Deontology of Journalism (21332)
Degree/study:bachelor's degree in Journalism
Year: third
Term: second
Number of ECTS credits: 4
Hours of studi dedication: 100
Teaching language or languages: catalán
Teaching Staff: Josep Maria Casasús, Marcel Mauri, Mònica Figueras
1. Presentation of the subject
Deontology of Journalism is a subject geared to reflection upon and critical analysis of the media's function from the perspective of ethics and professional deontology. Based on the premise that journalism has a duty of responsibility to society, the subject provides an insight into the nature of deontology, the differences between ethics and morality, the boundaries and overlaps between deontology and the legal system or law applicable to communication, and the ethical principles that are the cornerstone of the profession's self-regulation, among many other matters.
The first part of Deontology of Journalism consists of lectures focusing on the subject's theoretical bases, allowing for thorough analysis of the case studies dealt with in the subsequent seminar lectures.
The subject links a great deal of the theoretical knowledge acquired over the course of the degree with reflection on professional practice, just before students begin their compulsory practicum in the media. It is an unequivocally thought-provoking subject that enables students to develop a thorough awareness of the media's function.
2. Competences to be attained
General:
Instrumental:
- Being able to back up personal opinions with sound arguments and to defend them in public.
Personal:
- Being able to work as part of a team, actively participating in assigned tasks and negotiating consensuses in the event of differences of opinion.
- Developing the ability to think independently and critically about controversial topics or issues.
- Accepting the diversity of points of view as a fundamental part of academic life and a condition inherent to contemporary society, and respecting differing opinions.
Specific:
Specific to the degree:
- Being aware of information and communication processes, and the main theories that formalize and criticize them.
- Being aware of the world's situation and recent historical development.
- Being aware of the structure of the media and their main formats, as expressions of ways of life and forms of culture, in relation to social contexts and changes therein.
- Being aware of journalism's professional deontology and ethics, and the legal system applicable to information.
- Being aware of the foremost media events and topics of discussion.
- Being able to read and analyze specialized texts and documents on any relevant topic.
- Being able to identify and analyze information products in any genre, language or format, with a view to engaging in critical study.
Specific to the subject:
- Developing the ability to analyze and reflect on professional conduct and how information is reported.
- Being able to practise the profession of journalist in accordance with its deontological principles.
3. Contents
PART 1: Theoretical framework
1. Basic notions
1.1 Essential concepts and definitions. Ethics, morality and deontology. Relations with law.
1.2 General journalistic deontology system.
- Doctrinal deontology
2.1 The classic schools in journalistic deontology (Lambeth).
2.2 New trends in journalism's different cultures.
2.3 The integral theory of journalism. The ethics of sources, journalists and receivers.
- Positive deontology
3.1 List and priority of sources of general and special journalistic deontology.
3.2 Institutions and instruments for self-regulation.
3.3 Self-regulation and deontological praxis procedures.
PART 2: Practical seminars
- Introduction. Seminar methodology
- Ethics decision tree for communication.
- Deontological codes: origin and rationale.
- Theories on the media's social responsibility.
- The application of codes of ethics: principles of prioritization. - The principle of truth
1.1 Teleological or deontological ethics.
1.2 Free opinions and sacred facts: rigour in reporting information.
1.3 Neutrality in reporting information.
- The principle of justice
2.1 Attention to socially disadvantaged groups.
2.2 Impartiality.
2.3 The presumption of innocence.
- The principle of freedom
3.1 The limits of freedom of expression.
3.2 External factors: political and other forms of control.
3.3 Relations with sources.
- The principle of responsibility
4.1 Privacy.
4.2 Protection of minors.
- Journalism 2.0 and journalistic ethics
- Self-regulation mechanisms and the profession of journalist
6.1 The Consell de la Informació de Catalunya.
6.2 Regulatory bodies.
- Communications offices and ethics
4. Assessment
OPTION A) Continuing assessment
|
Assessment type |
Period |
Group structure |
Activity type |
Weighting |
|
Continuing assessment |
Weeks 3 to 10 |
Individual |
Attendance at and participation in seminars |
40% |
|
Coursework |
Weeks 3 to 10 |
Groups of 3 |
In-depth deontological study |
30% |
|
Theoretical exam |
Week 7 (25 February) |
Individual |
Course content review |
30% |
NOTE: attendance at seminars is compulsory for students who opt for continuing assessment. Handing in an assignment shall not compensate for non-attendance.
Coursework:
Deontological monitoring project
1. Work in groups of three students.
2. Choose a medium, a specific topical subject or a group.
3. Monitor deontological developments related to the chosen medium, subject or group from two perspectives:
a) Adherence to the principles of positive deontology.
b) Recommendations or suggested improvements in the event of a deontological problem being identified.
4. Project methodology:
a) Goals, hypothesis and working methodology.
b) Analysis.
c) Duly supported and justified conclusions.
5. Project presentation: in paper format (12-15 pages) or web format.
OPTION B) Final exam (ordinary sitting)
|
Assessment type |
Period |
Group structure |
Activity type |
Weighting |
|
Final exam |
Ordinary second-term exam sitting |
Individual |
Exam |
100% |
5. Bibliography and teaching resources
5.1. Basic bibliography
ALSIUS, Salvador. Ètica i periodisme. Barcelona: Pòrtic, 1998.
CASASÚS, J. M. "Per una ètica integral del periodisme". A: Foc Nou. Barcelona. Núm. 233-234, September-October 1993. P. 4-6. (This text can also be found in this same link).
5.2. Complementary bibliography
Alsius, Salvador. "Ètica i periodisme". Barcelona: Pòrtic, 1998.
Aristòtil: "Ètica nicomaquea". Vol. I i II. Barcelona: Fundació Bernat Metge, 1995.
Aznar, Hugo. "Ética y periodismo. Códigos, estatutos y otros documentos de
autorregulación". Barcelona: Paidós, 1999.
"Comunicación responsable. Deontología y autorregulación de los
medios". Barcelona: Ariel, 1999.
Bertrand, Claude-Jean. "La déontologie des médias". Paris: PUF, 1997.
Bettetini, Gianfranco i Armando Fumagalli. "Lo que queda de los medios. Ideas para una ética de la comunicación". Pamplona: EUNSA, 2001.
Bonete, E. "Éticas de la información y deontologías del periodismo". Madrid: Tecnos, 1995.
Brajnovic, Luka. "Deontología periodística". Pamplona: Universidad de Navarra, 1969.
Casasús, Josep Maria. "Ideología y análisis de medios de comunicación". Barcelona: Dopesa, 1972. (4th. edition: Barcelona: CIMS, 1978.)
"Per una ètica integral del periodisme". In: Foc Nou. Barcelona, núm. 233-234, September-October 1993, p. 4-6.
"La formación de los periodistas como forjadores del uso ético de los medios de comunicación social". In: Estudios de Periodística 3. Pamplona: Sociedad Española de Periodística, 1994.
"El periodismo como comunicación ética". In: Comunicación Social. Santiago de Compostela: Escola Galega de Administración Pública, 1994.
"Crisis del concepto periodístico de 'interés público'". In:Estudios de Periodística IV. Pontevedra: Sociedad Española de Periodística / Universidad de Vigo, 1996.
"Periodisme i comunicació ètica". In: Bioètica & Debat. Sant Cugat del Vallès: Institut Borja de Bioètica, October 1997, núm. 10, p. 1-5.
"Compendi de coneixements teòrics". In: Web Deontologia Periodística, Campus Global Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Cooper, Thomas W. (dir.). "Communication Ethics and Global Change". New York: Longman, 1989.
Cornu, Daniel. "Éthique de l'information". Paris: PUF, 1997.
Elliot, Deni (dir.). "Responsible Journalism". Beverly Hills (California): Sage, 1986.
Keeble, Richard. "Ethics for journalists". London / New York: Routledge, 2009.
Kovach, Bill & Tom Rosenstiel. "Los elementos del periodismo". Madrid: Ediciones El País, 2003.
Knowlton, Steven & Bill Reader. "Moral reasoning for journalists". London: Praeger Plublishers, 2009.
Lambeth, Edmund B. "Periodismo comprometido. Un código de ética para la profesión". Mexico: Limusa, 1992.
Merrill, John C. Media Ethics. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997.
Pérez Fuentes, Juan Carlos. "Ética periodística. Principios, códigos deontológicos y normas complementarias". Leioa: Servicio Editorial Universidad del País Vasco, 2004.
Pinto de Oliveira, C.-J. "Éthique de la communication sociale". Friburg: Editions Universitaires Fribourg Suisse, 1987.
University of Tampere (Finland): http://www.uta.fi/ethicnet/.
Vázquez, Francisco. "Ética y deontología de la información". Madrid: Paraninfo, 1999.
Videla Rodríguez, José Juan. "La ética como fundamento de la actividad periodística". Madrid: Editorial Fragua, 2004.
6. Metodology
The subject's methodological plan combines face-to-face, guided and self-directed activities, as shown below.
|
Type |
Time allocation |
Activity |
Period |
Group structure |
Activity description |
|
Face-to-face |
9 hours (20%) |
Lectures |
Weeks 1 and 2 |
Entire group |
Theory sessions in which the lecturer reviews the subject's theoretical content and provides guidelines on further study of each of the topics raised |
|
Face-to-face |
18 hours (40%) |
Seminars |
Weeks 3 to 10 |
2 seminar groups (A and B) |
7 seminar lectures in which, on the basis of case study presentations, specific matters raised in theory sessions are examined. |
|
Guided |
1 hour (2%) |
Individual and group tutorials geared to project |
Weeks 1 to 10 |
Individual and in groups of 3 |
Individual tutorials involving the discussion of reading materials. Tutorials on students' in-depth deontological study |
|
Self-directed |
17 hours (38%) |
Preparation for seminar lectures and study of theoretical content |
Weeks 3 to 10 |
Individual |
Study of the theoretical content provided in face-to-face sessions, and preparation of discourse and case studies corresponding to seminar lectures
|
7. Planning of activities
Key dates:
- Lectures (weeks 1 and 2): entire group.
- Seminars (weeks 3 to 10): groups 101 and 102 subdivided into two groups (A and B) for seminar lectures.
|
Week |
Classroom activity |
Non-classroom activity |
|
Week 1 THE WHOLE GROUP |
Presentation and theory session 1 Theory session 2 |
- Further reading and study on part 1 |
|
Week 2 THE WHOLE GROUP |
Theory session 3 Theory session 4 |
- Prepare seminar 1 |
|
Week 3 |
Seminar 1 (group A). Case study analysis and debate Seminar 1 (group B). Case study analysis and debate |
- Prepare seminars 1 and 2 - Work in groups begins |
|
Week 4 |
Seminar 2 (group A) . Case study analysis and debate Seminar 2 (group B) . Case study analysis and debate |
- Prepare seminars 2 and 3 |
|
Week 5 |
Seminar 3 (group A). Case study analysis and debate Seminar 3 (group B). Case study analysis and debate |
- Prepare seminars 3 and 4 |
|
Week 6 |
Seminar 4. Practical session in editing suite (group A) |
- Prepare seminars 4 and 5 |
|
Week 7 |
Seminar 5. Practical session in editing suite (group B). PLEASE NOTE: as of this week, group 1 will attend sessions on Thursdays and group 2 on Tuesdays Theoretical exam |
- Prepare seminar 5 |
|
Week 8 |
Seminar 6. Practical session in editing suite (group 2) Seminar 5. Practical session in editing suite (group 1) |
- Prepare seminars 5 and 6 |
|
Week 9 |
Seminar 6. Practical session in editing suite (group 1) Project to be handed in (groups A and B) |
- Prepare seminar 6 and debate |
|
Week 10 |
Seminar 7 (group 2) Seminar 7 (group 1) |
- Prepare seminar 7 |