ME Sharpe Professor

“A compelling and effective guide for students and working journalists alike." (*)
Online media present both old and new ethical issues for journalists who must make decisions in an interactive, instantaneous environment short on normative standards or guidelines. This user-friendly text guides journalism students through ethical questions encountered only online. Featuring real-life examples and perspectives from online journalists in every chapter, the book examines the issues of gathering information, reporting, interviewing, and writing for mainstream news organizations on the Web. It considers the ethical implications of linking, interactivity, verification, transparency, and Web advertising, as well as the effects of convergence on newsrooms. It also addresses the questions of who is a journalist and what is journalism in an age when anyone can be a publisher. Each chapter includes a complex case study that promotes critical thinking and classroom discussion about how to apply the ethical issues covered.
Endorsements:

“We live in a world of participatory media, a world in which we expect to be not only consumers but producers of mediated messages. That world begs new ethical questions and presents new kinds of professional dilemmas that challenge our definitions of objectivity, authorship, authority and yes, even journalism itself. Friend and Singer provide a comprehensive roadmap to that new world of journalistic practice, one that will serve as a compelling and effective guide for students and working journalists alike." — Dr. Dianne Lynch, Dean, Park School of Communications, Ithaca College (*)

“For the 21st century journalist, with a virtual world at their fingertips, and the ability to publish globally, instantly, across legal and cultural boundaries, and to audiences of both 'digital natives' and 'digital immigrants,' it's easy to make an error of judgement that will cost you. Ethical issues have become central, and this book is an essential starting point for considering them.” — Paul Bradshaw, Online Journalism Blog

“Newcomers and journalism students will find Online Journalism Ethics a strong start in summarizing the key issues and pointing out the traditional trailheads that can prove useful for online trailblazers.” —The Convergence Newsletter

“A thought-provoking and valuable tool for teaching online journalism ethics. It gives a comprehensive overview of the many ethical challenges of Web journalism. —Journal of Mass Media Ethics