Moral Reasoning for Journalists: Cases and Commentary

The nature of journalism requires that an ethical decision be made at every stage. While many of these decisions lead to obvious choices, many present thorny problems; some questions may be so subtle that they are not even noticed consciously by the journalist. This up-to-date collection of more than two dozen real-life cases illustrates the moral issues facing contemporary American journalists. It will help students hone their reasoning skills, encouraging them to think rationally and act with integrity. The cases are presented in substantial detail to provide students with a realistic sense of the complexity of issues facing journalists today.

Knowlton, a veteran journalist and teacher, combines his experience of more than 30 years in the field with extensive interviews with dozens of today's top journalists, so that each case is presented with commentary and thought-provoking analysis. Discussion questions at the end of each case analysis probe the depth of the ethical concerns raised. This book can be used as a stand-alone text, as a supplemental casebook, or in conjunction with the companion anthology, The Journalist's Moral Compass: Basic Principles (Praeger, 1994).