Ethics and The Digital Age
Description
Recent studies show that a sizeable proportion of people distrust what they read on-line. This module will instil the importance of ethics as an integral part of any digital communication practice. Students will examine a variety of scenarios commonly experienced by journalists working across various media platforms. Students will also examine various digital campaigns in advertising, public relations, reportage and marketing, and debate and consider the moral values and ethics of these.
Issues include defamation, content verification, filming/audio restrictions and guidelines, GDPR and insurance. Topics also include questions of fairness and balance, impartiality and bias, accuracy, integrity, and truth in an era of fake news.
The moral ethical standpoints considered in this module are a key requirement for anyone working in any area of digital communications. The skills learned in this module will form an integral part of a transition to any work environment.
Learning Outcomes
Explain the role of ethics across the breath of the digital spectrum.
Exhibit an in-depth knowledge of the interactions of digital media and ethics.
Appraise a range of theories of truthfulness and veracity.
Evaluate the ethical and legal implications of content creation in a wide variety of situations and media
Conduct an ethical critique of specific media campaigns.