Every individual should use ethics for decision making daily; however, it is imperative that businesses and the media always make ethical decisions, especially since the outcome of those decisions can affect hundreds or even thousands of people. Even if the decision is small, the result might come back around and bite the blockhead in the derrière if they act unethically.
If a medium knowingly provides their audience with false information about a notable company, then that information could possibly harm the company’s shareholders, employees, consumers or even its image. If a medium lied about a politician’s involvement with money laundering, then that might lead to a crooked mayor running a city. The point is that the media has an impact on what citizens think, what they know and how they react to a situation.
There is a high percentage of the public who does not fully trust the media. Journalists should acknowledge this fact and be even more cautious when delivering the news. Despite distrust of the media, people do soak in what is said on the news, and that alone could alter their opinions. A journalist’s duty is to give out honest information to the public and be ethical while doing so.
Business executives definitely need to make ethical decisions not just for themselves but for their employees and shareholders. The media mainly influences their audience, but executives could force thousands of workers to be unemployed due to unethical practices. The idea that there are thousands of people in just a few people’s hands is terrifying, which is partially why having a code of ethics is a relief (as long as everyone follows them anyway).
Codes of ethics are necessary for both businesses and media since people do not always have a great moral compass. Morals are something that you are born with; they are how we judge good from bad and right from wrong. Ethics however can be taught since they are usually a set of rules created by a business or organization. It is just too bad that Kenneth Lay was never introduced to these principles.
