Journalism and Media Ethics
The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics explores ethical issues in journalism and media.
What is Journalism and Media Ethics?
by Subramaniam Vincent, director of Journalism and Media Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.
We are dedicated to helping media producers, journalists, product designers, members of the public, and critics develop ways to address pressing -- and persistent -- ethical dilemmas that continue to have wide-reaching consequences for us all. The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics is uniquely well-positioned to provide ethical frameworks to help stakeholders proactively identify and analyze normative questions from the early stages to later in delivery cycles, while at the same time enriching the ongoing debates in these spheres.
Prediction Markets, News Reporting and Ethical Stakes
Prediction Markets (PMs)–Kalshi, Polymarket, and more–are the latest ethical and regulatory mess to erupt in the digital media economy. But what should the media do about PMs?
Sourcing, Media Ethics, and AI
The Markkula Center’s Journalism and Media Ethics program has a focus on journalistic and information sourcing as it studies and advises diverse stakeholders.
Whether you are a media studies academic, or an industry product or policy manager (news, trust and safety, etc.), or a student interested in the latest intersections of ethics, news, and technology, this list of projects and outputs might interest you.
This applied ethics module, Guardrails for News Headlining, provides a set of three principles and related norms to propose a checklist for everyday news headlining. It is primarily targeted at all headline writers in newsrooms, including news editors, SEO specialists and social media editors.
Recent Journalism and Media Ethics Commentary
The questions reporters ask high-level politicians in planned settings are actual decisions. That does not mean ethical pre-review ought not to go into the question framing.
Guidance for the news media on what to do about Prediction Markets, how to take the next steps.
The media’s use of data from prediction markets requires a second look.
Truthful reporting is faithful to the reality of what is happening on-the-ground, to real people in real time.
Subbu Vincent on Ethics and Broadcast News
This episode features a conversation with Subbu Vincent, Director of Media and Journalism Ethics at the Markkula Center. Why did Fox News fire Tucker Carlson? And why did CNN fire Don Lemon? Do broadcast news networks follow any code of ethics?
Ethical Considerations for Student Reporters, Editors, and News Consumers
Student journalists, student editors, and student news consumers often plunge into the news ecosystem without much guidance or formal training. What foundational knowledge might help budding news consumers as well as student journalists and editors?
Ethics and Misinformation
Joan Donovan, Ph.D., Research Director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Director of the Technology and Social Change project (TaSC), and Author of Meme Wars., spoke about the connection between ethics and misinformation and the philosophical frameworks for how to research, report on, and understand this moment in internet history and American politics.
Journalism and Media Ethics Resources
Journalism and Media Articles
Articles on journalism and media ethics including trust, accuracy, engagement, data journalism, and inclusiveness.
Journalism and Media Case Studies
Case studies pertaining to ethical issues in journalism and media ethics.
Journalism and Media Resources
More resources for journalists and others in the media field including videos, ethics codes, and student examples.
Journalism and Media Ethics Council
As ethical issues in the media are increasingly relevant to today’s climate this team of professionals from public, private, and academic sectors collaborates with the Ethics Center to identify and prioritize complex issues.
Media Commentary
Subramaniam Vincent, director of journalism and media ethics, quoted by The Dispatch.
Subbu Vincent, director, journalism and media ethics, quoted by The Associated Press.
Subbu Vincent, director of journalism and media ethics, quoted by VOA News.
Subbu Vincent, director, media and journalism ethics, quoted by Fresnoland.
Solidarity and Ethical Journalism: Aligning Journalism with Accuracy, not Neutrality
With solidarity techniques, journalists do what the most celebrated journalism has always done in this country: insist on representing truthful narratives, amplify sources who have the most insight into an issue, and leverage public means of communication in the service of conveying outrage at people’s dignity being stripped away.
