BUSINESS ETHICS AND MEDIA

Media include several branches. Some of the most relevant branches that need to practice business ethics are journalism, entertainment media and social media.

Business Ethics and Journalistic Media

Business ethics in journalistic media include principles of ethics and of good practice as applicable to the particular challenges faced by journalists. Respect for truth and the public’s rights to information are dominant principles for all journalists.

All journalists engaged in gathering, transmitting, disseminating and commenting on news and information should observe the following code of ethics:

1] Journalists should report and interpret the news with honesty by revealing all necessary facts.

2] Journalists should not unnecessarily emphasise on gender, race, sexual preference, religious belief, marital status or physical or mental disability.

3] Journalists’ professional duties should not be influenced with their personal interests.

4] Journalists should not let their professional duties to be affected by any consideration, gift or advantage offered.

5] Journalists should use fair and honest means to obtain news, pictures, films, tapes and documents.

6] Journalists should respect private sorrows and personal privacy.

7] Journalists should do their best to correct any published or broadcast information found to be harmfully incorrect.

Business Ethics and Advertising

Advertising plays a very important role in marketing goods and services. In a competitive world sellers use a variety of methods to catch the attention of consumers. This often leads to malpractice. Companies often engage in subtle forms of deception or make exaggerated claims about their products.

Instead of providing information, advertisements mislead and even falsify in order to claim brand supremacy. At the same time use of women’s bodies, sex and nudity, exploiting social prejudices regarding skin colour and complexion are widely used to drive sales. Companies often compare competitors’ products and depict them in a negative light. (Ex- Patanjali Products).

Business Ethics and the Entertainment Media

Business ethics in entertainment media include the standards and rules that entertainment media should follow while performing their role. Ethical guidelines and legislation in this field are common and several media, e.g. film, are subject to ratings systems and supervision by agencies. The entertainment media should not show violence and sex, and the use of strong language. An increasingly common marketing tactic is the placement of products in entertainment media. The producers of such media may be paid high sums to show branded products.

Business Ethics and Social Media

Social media is a term used to describe social interaction through technology based tools. Social media includes internet forum, networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Hike, Whatsapp, Blogs, etc. Today, almost all businesses are using social media to promote their products and services. The companies can reach wide range of customers and make them aware about their products or services. But, while using social media, the companies should follow some business ethics such as-

1] Let employees know that their use of social media may impact the company, their duties to the company, or their business responsibilities.

2] Set policies that identify the value of social media to the company and employees’ personal lives and that allow its use to forward the organisational goals.

3] Be clear about what is not allowed, what is restricted and what is permitted.

4] Do not communicate company confidential or non-public information through social media.

5] When the company depends on social media for its own requirements, set and communicate policies on its use by employees and external parties.