This document provides a syllabus for a course on contemporary broadcast news ethics. The course addresses ethical issues that have arisen in broadcast news in recent years due to changes in media landscape and the ubiquity of 24/7 news coverage. Over the course of the semester, students will analyze case studies and current events, learn principles of media ethics, and apply critical thinking to ethical dilemmas in broadcast journalism. Assessment will include participation in discussions, analysis of case studies, quizzes, two case study memos, an individual case study paper, and a culminating group project applying course concepts to a case study and code of ethics.

1. SYLLABUS OF RECORD
I. Catalog Description
COMM 320 Contemporary Broadcast News Ethics 3 class hours
0 lab hours
Prerequisites: COMM 101 3 credits
(3c-0l-3cr)
Addresses ethical issues arising frombroadcast (radio, television, plus
internet) news in contemporary times. Analyzes current events and discusses
decisions made by journalists and the impact of those decisions. Focuses on
the land scape of media ethics and it’s complications in the last several years
due to the ubiquity of 24/7 news. Emphasizes ethical principles updated for
21st Century.
II. Course Outcomes
Students will be able to
1. Describe and discuss broadcast news ethics principles as they apply to
the 21st Century.
2. Interpret and apply ethical principles to case studies and current events.
3. Analyze case studies and relate codes of ethics, current events, and
current media realities to them.
4. Apply critical thinking skills to ethical dilemmas
5. Collaborate with a group to describe, apply, analyze, and interpret case
studies and how they relate to a code of ethics and the ethics principles
discussed in the course.
Student Outcomes Assessment Matrix
COE&ET Conceptual
Framework
Program Objectives Course Objectives Assessment
Technique
1-2-3-4 2-3-5 1 Case Study Paper
Quizzes
Discussion
Culminating
WebQuest Activity*
1-2-3-4 2-3-5 2 Case Study Paper
Case Study Memos
Discussion
Culminating

2. WebQuest Activity*
1-2-3-4 2-3-5 3 Case Study Paper
Case Study Memos
Discussion
Culminating
WebQuest Activity*
1-2-3-4 2-3-5 4 Homework
Assignments
Discussion
Culminating
WebQuest Activity*
1-2-3-4 2-3-4-5-6-7 5 Quizzes
Discussion
Culminating
WebQuest Activity*
* Key Assessment
III. Course Outline
Date Content Assignments
Due
1. M Introduction to the Course.
2. W Discussion: TRUTH: The Complicated Pursuit of Truth; Truth
without Scarcity, Ethics without Force
Reading for
today’s
discussion
3. F Lecture: How to read and interpret Case Studies;
Discussion: Current Events
Current
Event Article
for
discussion
4. M Discussion: TRUTH: Kicking the Stone: The Search for Reliable
Evidence in Journalism
Assignment of Case Study Memo #1
Reading for
today’s
discussion
5. W Viewing: Integral part(s) of Movie #1 (List of possiblemoviesin
bibliography)
Discussion: of movie
6. F Discussion: Mark Lisheron, “Lying to Get the Truth,” American
Journalism Review, Oct/Nov 2007, available at
http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4403
Reading for
today’s
discussion
Textbook
Case Study
#1
7. M Discussion: TRUTH: Storytelling in the Digital Age Reading for

3. today’s
discussion
8. W Discussion: Paul Farhi, “The Twitter Explosion,” American
Journalism Review, available at
http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4772
Reading for
today’s
discussion
9. F Discussion: Current Events
Quiz #1
Current
Event Article
for
discussion
10. M Discussion: TRUTH: Fast-Checking 2.0 Reading for
today’s
discussion
11. W Discussion: Individual case studies used in memo Case Study
Memo #1
12. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #2 Textbook
Case Study
#2
13. M Discussion: TRUTH: Seeing is Not Believing: Photojournalism in
the 21st Century
Reading for
today’s
discussion
14. W Viewing: Integral part(s) of Movie #2
15. F Discussion: Current Events
Quiz #2
Current
Event Article
for
discussion
16. M Discussion: TRANSPARENCY: Learning the Transparency Habit;
Do Private Platforms Threaten Public Journalism?
Reading for
today’s
discussion
17. W Current Events Discussion;
Assignment of Case Study Paper
Current
Event Article
for
Discussion
18. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #3 Textbook
Case Study
#3
19. M Discussion: TRANSPERENCY: Networked Audiences: Attention
and Data-Informed Journalism Discussion
Reading for
today’s
discussion
20. W Discussion: Radio Television Digital News Association, “Social
Media and Blogging Guidelines,”
http://www.rtdna.org/pages/media_items/social-media-and-
blogging-guidelines1915.php?g=37?id=1915
Reading for
today’s
discussion
21. F Discussion: Current Events Current

4. Quiz 3 Event Article
for
discussion
22. M Discussion: TRANSPERENCY: Centers of Investigative
Reporting: New Model, Old Conflicts Discussion
Case Study
Paper
23. W Viewing: Integral part(s) of Movie #3
Discussion: movie
24. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #4 Textbook
Case Study
#4
25. M Discussion: TRANSPERENCY: A New Pathway toward Sourcing Reading for
today’s
discussion
26. W Discussion: Bryan Monroe, “Newsroom Diversity: Truth vs.
Fiction,” Nieman Reports, Fall 2003, available at
http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=101000
Reading for
today’s
discussion
27. F Discussion: Current Events
Quiz #4
Current
Event Article
for
discussion
28. M Discussion: TRANSPERENCY: Corrections and Ethics: Greater
Accuracy through Honesty
Reading for
today’s
discussion
29. W Current Events Discussion;
Assignment of Case Study Memo 2
Current
Event Article
for
discussion
30. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #5 Textbook
Case Study
#5
31. M Discussion: COMMUNITY: The Community as a Goal; The (Still)
Evolving Relationship between News and Community
Reading for
today’s
discussion
32. W Viewing: Integral part(s) of Movie #4;
Discussion: movie
33. F Discussion: Current Event
Quiz #5
Current
Event Article
for
discussion
34. M Discussion: COMMUNITY: The Destabilizing Force of Fear Reading for
today’s
discussion

5. 35. W Discussion: Case Studies used in Memo Case Study
Memo #2
36. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #6 Textbook
Case Study
#6
37. M Discussion: COMMUNITY: How Untold Stories Can Reflect
Diversity Discussion;
Assignment of Culminating WebQuest Activity
Reading for
today’s
discussion
38. W Discussion: Dori J. Maynard, “Why Journalists Can’t Talk
Across Race,” Nieman Reports, Fall 2003, available at
http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=101005
Reading for
today’s
discussion
39. F Discussion: Current Events
Quiz #6
Current
Event Article
for
discussion
40. M Discussion: COMMUNITY: Community as an End; The Future of
Journalism Ethics;
Begin in-class group work
Reading for
today’s
discussion
41. W In-class group work time
42. F Meeting with professor to make sure group on track; In-class
group work time
43. Final
Meeting
Culminating WebQuest Activity Presentations WebQuest
Activity
deliverable
IV. Evaluation Method
The final grade will be determined as follows:
10% Participation/ Discussion – Using a rubric, students will be assessed on
their ability to: arrive fully prepared for class, play an active role in
discussion, occasionally advance the level and depth of the dialogue with
their comments, and enhance the level of discussion and group dynamic with
their contributions.
10% 6 Textbook Case Studies – Students will be assigned to read six of the
Case Studies provided in the textbook, The New Ethics of Journalism:
Principles for the 21st Century, and be asked to answer the questions that
follow them. These questions require the students to not only give factual
answers, but to also give opinions and to analyze the case. They will then be
discussed in class.

6. 10% 6 group quizzes - Every other week during the semester, students will
complete a quiz to work on with their group. Groups will be assigned on the
first day of class, therefore students will have worked with their group
previously in group discussions. The quizzes require students to think
critically about their assigned readings and movies watched in class. Answers
will be multiple-choice, however they will require analyzing of a short
situation, and will not be definitional questions.
20% 2 Case Study one-page memos (@ 10% each)– Students will write two
one-page, single-spaced memos outlining their advice for addressing the
ethical issue presented in each case. Students will be able to write about a
case of their choosing. They will adopt the role of a news reporter, producer,
or editor and the memo will provide advice to the top editor. (Credit for idea
to Tim McGuire, Arizona State University)
20% 1 Case Study Paper – Students will be assigned, at the midterm, a 6-7
page paper that will analyze and discuss the major ethical issues raised in a
case or current event news broadcast, and indicate how they would resolve
the issues if they were faced with the scenario. This paper is to be done
individually. This is not a personal reflection, but a careful analysis in which
students will apply the philosophical principles and ethical models learned in
this course to the issues of the case and cite relevant statements from
authorities in media practice and ethics. Research will be required. Up to six
sources, excluding the textbook and in-class readings should be cited. The
paper will be in APA format. (Credit for idea to Otis Sanford, The University of
Memphis)
30% Culminating WebQuest Activity – During the last three meetings of class,
students will get together with their discussion/quiz group and work on a
WebQuest. The WebQuest will be a PowerPoint created by the professor and
made available to the students via the LMS. The WebQuest will require each
student to do their own separate research on a Code of Ethics provided by a
media association of their choosing. Each group will be assigned a case study
by the professor that the students will read individually. The student will
work on relating their code of ethics to the case study they read. The
students will come back together in their group and each student will explain
their Code of Ethics and its relation to the case to the group. They will
analyze strengths, weaknesses, and how they would work through the issues.
The group will then collaborate to put together a verbal presentation that
will have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. It will include a
description of the case study; the Codes of Ethics researched and applied,
how they would apply the three main principles presented in the textbook,
and how the group would work through the ethical issues. The group will
also create a short movie (does not need to be original material, clips from

7. internet are okay with proper citation), journal article, or PowerPoint that
will enhance the verbal presentation. The final part of the Activity involves
the group creating 5 multiple choice, true/false, or short answer questions
that will be given to the class to answer after their presentation. This will
assess how well they were able to put across their information. The students
will be given a rubric.
V. Grade Scale
Grading scale: A: ≥90% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69% F:<60%
VI. Attendance Policy
Attendance is required, only excused absences are allowed. Proper
documentation must be provided to professor.
Unexcused routine medical, dental, legal or academic appointments, job-
related or social commitments, illnesses not involving hospitalization or
doctor intervention, as well as family or other emergencies will be included
in the absentee tally.
Lateness to Class: Lateness to class affects attendance in the following way:
two lates equal one absence. Leaving class before being dismissed affects
attendance in the same manner.
[Note: It is recommended that an attendance policy be developed by
individual faculty and included in student syllabi. (See undergraduate catalog
for Undergraduate Course Attendance Policy.)]
VII. Required textbooks, supplementalbooks and readings
McBride, K., & Rosenstiel, T. (Eds.). (2014). The new ethics of journalism:
Principles for the 21st century. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, available at
http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp; Radio-Television News Directors
Association Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, available at
http://www.rtnda.org/pages/media_items/code-of-ethics-and-professional-
conduct48.php
Jill Rosen, “Who Knows Jack?” American Journalism Review, April/May 2004,
available at http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=3613

8. Charles Layton, “Miller Brouhaha,” American Journalism Review, Aug/Sept
2003, available at http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=3057
National Press Photographers Association Code of Ethics, available at
http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/ethics.
html.
Code of Ethics, Public Relations Society of America, available at
http://www.prsa.org/aboutUs/ethics/preamble_en.html .
American Advertising Federation Statement of Principles,
http://www.aaf.org/default.asp?id=37 .
Media Ethics Case Studies available at,
http://www.spj.org/ethicscasestudies.asp
Writing a Case Study Analysis available at,
http://college.cengage.com/business/resources/casestudies/students/writin
g.htm
Possible Viewing: “Rich Media Poor Democracy”, “The Mean World
Syndrome: Media Violence & the Cultivation of Fear”, “Hijacking
Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire”, “Framing an
Execution: The Media & Mumia Abu-Jamal”, “Constructing Public Opinion:
How Politicans & the Media Misrepresent the Public”, “Outfoxed: Rupert
Murdoch’s War on Journalism”, “Shattered Glass”, “Myth of the Liberal
Media”
VIII. Special resource requirements
Approximately $15.00 – Students who are absent on the day of a movie
viewing will be required to rent or purchase the movie at their own expense.
Flash drive needed for culminating activity.
IX. Bibliography
(2009). Retrieved February 20, 2015, from
http://ethicaljournalisminitiative.org/en
(2014, September). SPJ Code of Ethics. Retrieved February 20, 2015, from
http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
(2015). Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://aect.site-ym.com/

9. Axelrod, Daniel. (2013). Problems & Ethics in Journalism [Syllabus].
Gainesville, FL: Journalism Department, University of Florida.
Black, J., & Roberts, C. (2011). Doing ethics in media theories and practical
applications. New York: Routledge.
Lewis, J. (2014). Media law and ethics in the 21st century: Protecting free
expression and curbing abuses. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
McBride, K., & Rosenstiel, T. (Eds.). (2014). The new ethics of journalism:
Principles for the 21st century. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications
McGuire, Tim. (2010). Media Ethics and Diversity [Syllabus]. AZ: Walter
Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State
University.
Sanford, Otis. (2011). Media Ethics [Syllabus]. Memphis, TN: Journalism
Department, The University of Memphis.
Course Analysis Questionnaire
Section A: Details of the Course
A1 This course is an elective for students in the BA Communications
Media program. This content is extensive and would take away
from the content of other courses if it were to be melded with
another. It is also solely focused on contemporary issues and the
impact on the future, not on the past. This is not a Liberal Studies
course.
A6 Similar courses are offered at the following institutions, among
others:
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania: Media Ethics
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania: Mass Media and
Communication Ethics
University of Florida: Problems and Ethics in Journalism, Social
Media Ethics
Arizona State University: Media Ethics and Diversity
The University of Memphis: Media Ethics
Section B: Interdisciplinary Implications

10. B2 There is a similar course in the Journalism department, JRNL 347.
However, they do not focus specifically on 21st century broadcast
news ethics. They split the course with legal issues and use older
material.
Section C: Implementation
C2 Other resources:
a. Current space allocations are adequate to offer this course.
b. Only equipment needed is a computer connected to a
projector and a pull down screen. One or two time use of a
computer lab needed.
c. No laboratory supplies or consumable goods necessary.
d. No special library materials needed.
e. No traveling funds needed.
C6 Up to 25 students can be accommodated in this class, as students
will need to use a computer lab.