Reference no: EM133496896 , Length: 12 pages

Media Ethics

Since the focus of this course is on Media Ethics, specifically addressing how the ethical theories are applied in various professions in the world of the media and communications, the foundation for this project will be as follows:

Question 1. Imagine that you are a professional media ethics consultant. You work on a freelance basis, although many companies keep you on retainer for your services.

Question 2. You are creating a "pitch" to a prospective company that you have long admired, in which you seek to convince them of why they should hire you. It could be a computer firm, a restaurant chain, clothing store, professional sports team, university --- almost any organization that you choose could potentially be a subject for this project.

Question 3. To help you promote your skill set and to woo the company you have chosen, you are encouraged to use a variety of multimedia tools. Doing so will not only showcase your personality, but also help you demonstrate why you are the best person to create a code of ethics for them. You may wish to view this presentation to learn more about the different types of tools available to you.

Question 4. In the first week of the course, you should begin this process. Before you begin writing, you should write down the due dates for the proposal (week 3) and the final paper (week 7) in your personal calendar. These due dates will not change. To write a quality paper, it's imperative that you work on the paper throughout the term.

Working title of paper: In a few concise words, you should be able to give the reader an idea of the focus of your pitch. You should at least have a descriptive noun and an action verb in the working title. Remember, you are trying to sell a service that many see as "nonessential" so you must work hard to grab the audience's attention from the very start.

Question 1. Start with an introductory sentence in which you try to "hook" the reader. Remember, this is a hard sales pitch. You want to convince this "Company X" that they should hire you. Further, you need to get this contract to pay your bills and feed yourself. There are many other freelancers out there who are also trying to sell this same service to "Company X," so treat this as a professional, high stakes, presentation.

Question 2. Why should this group hire you? What can this company get from you that they can't get from any other freelancer? Focus on your experience/background/education, or other relevant training and skills that you can provide that no one else has.

Question 3. What would you provide in a code of ethics written specifically for this company? You don't have to give away the complete code of ethics you would write for them, but you should give them an idea or an outline of what to expect if they retain your services.

a. If this is an existing company, (such as Nike, Budweiser, Home Depot, or McDonalds, for example) you should be able to demonstrate that you have studied their current Code of Ethics (if they have one). If they don't have one, you need to convince them that they need to create one posthaste.

Question 4. Explain what your own philosophy is concerning media ethics. What is your position? Who are some scholars/authors who have done work related to this subject who have influenced you? What are some sources that you have found interesting or that you would like to study more? You should include a working draft of your bibliography. Consult your instructor or view the A Research Guide website if you have questions about how to format a particular source correctly. You need to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the field of ethics, particularly as it relates to media.

Question 5. Why are you the best fit for this company? Why should they hire you and not your competitor waiting out in the hallway? Is it because you have an in-depth knowledge of how this company/industry works? Is it because you have worked in this field for many years, and you know it inside and out? Don't be modest; "toot your own horn."

Question 6. Make it as clear as you can (without being condescending) that you are the obvious choice to provide this service. You want the company to come away thinking, "You know, it's a no-brainer that we would use their services. It's a perfect fit."

Question 7. Download your submission to the relevant dropbox in week 3 of the course. Please do not email your submission directly to the instructor. Also, please be sure your file is in a
.doc, .docx or.rtf format.

Question 8. The instructor will return the proposals within about a week. If you have not heard from your instructor by the beginning of week 5, you should check and make sure that the paper was received. It is the responsibility of the student, not the faculty member, to follow up if the grade is missing.

As you begin to write your final presentation, you should do the following:

Question 1. Consult the Final Paper/Code of Ethics Rubric, located in Course Information. This document provides a quick reference list of all the items your instructor will look for when grading your work. Making sure you have addressed these items beforehand will ensure you make the best grade possible.

Question 2. Look very closely at the comments that were written by your instructor in your proposal. These are items that *must* be changed for the student to receive credit for the final draft of the paper. The comments are *not* optional suggestions. Your instructor spends many, many hours reading and commenting on everyone's proposals, encouraging students, and making suggestions on how to improve your projects. Please read these comments closely and let your instructor know if you have questions.

Question 3. If you are unsure of how to view the comments on your proposal that were left by your instructor, please contact her/him for details. Based on these comments, you can begin working towards your finished presentation due in week 7.

Question 4. Feel free to use muti-media tools, and include graphics, photos, statistics, charts, newspaper clippings, and audio tracks as you like. Since you are working hard to get this contract, you need to use every tool that will help you promote yourself and your work. You may brainstorm with your instructor about some possible options. This Prezi explains the different types of multimedia available to you, as well as the features of each.

Question 5. Remember to cite your outside sources and explain why this item was added. (Such as "As illustrated in this video clip from . .. ??") Also, you must cite the source of the visual/audio supplement you include.

Question 6. Make sure you have a solid working bibliography. Your instructor will provide you with his/her guidelines about what types of websites and sources are acceptable, so make sure and read these rules very closely.

Question 7. Also, make sure to follow the proper guidelines for citing sources for your paper. Ask your instructor if you are unsure.

Comments

"Could business organizations set democratic policies that include explicit guidelines on honoring employees moral dignity and allowing them to have an influential voice in the ways in which the company should conduct its treatment of employees, produce products and services and if news media, treat the subjects with objectivity and honesty even if it comes at some financial loss?

Convincing companies that your proposal will benefit everyone in the big picture is a challenge here. Corporations are not democratic entities after all! How would you reconcile this?

When completing your final assignment, think about the following questions:

Who should set the ethical policies? The company or should this be a cooperative effort between employer and employee? You will need to offer a rationale for the approach you propose. Why should the company determine the rules and policies? Why should this be a cooperative project?"