Bad, wrong, or simply tacky?

Ethics. 

This isn't a word synonymous with interesting conversation, however in today's lecture we almost got there - almost. Bruce stepped aside today, making way for Dr John Harrison, a fellow colleague from UQ's school of journalism. Blessed (as we were assured) by his presence, Mr Harrison didn't leave many in the lecture theater today wondering how he has achieved so much in the industry. He is knowledgeable, witty and a great communicator. After a somewhat humourous exercise involving various advertisements and their ethical validity, we moved onto the 'nitty gritty'. 

As Mr Harrison stressed, there are three (and only three!) 'ethical theories'; Deontology, Consequentialism and Virtuism. 

• Deontology
• Rules, Principles and Duties; All ethics 'codes' are Deontological.
• "Do unto others as you would have done to you."

 The Journalist's code of ethics is therefore deontological, made up of specific rules and principles designed to keep a journalist ethically 'in-check'. 

• Consequentialism
• "The end justifies the means."

Consequentialism can be considered a majoritarian belief, in that what is ethically correct is derived from the judgement of a majority; but can this be truly the correct course of action? Mr Harrison reasonably argues no.

"What makes a good journalist is what sort of person you are, not what rules you follow"
- John Harrison

Which brings me to the last of the ethical theories,

• Virtuism
• Habits of character; courage, justice, temperance and prudence
• The 'golden mean' of behaviour. 

Virtuism proposes that these habits of character are what define a person's ethical properties. Each can be found in the middle of extreme habits which societal concepts deem unethical, hence the 'golden mean' of behaviour. 

As a Journalist, there are a plethora of ethical codes with which to adhere to, however by their very nature -being deontological- one can argue they lack substance. This is what separates 'good' and 'great' Journalists. Not by their ability, but through their virtues. 

I want to be a great Journalist.