Reflections on Media Ethics 2011
Distributed by Parallel Lines, 760 12th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118; (631) 676-1070
Produced by Annette Danto
Directed by Annette Danto
DVD, color, 25 min.
College - General Adult
Communication, Ethics, Journalism, Media Studies
Date Entered: 09/27/2012
Reviewed by Margaret M. Reed, Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARReflections on Media Ethics assembles an impressive group of journalists, filmmakers, and media critics who share their wisdom on balancing freedom of the press and sensitivity toward those in front of the camera.
Jon Alpert, Noam Chomsky, Amy Goodman, Albert Maysles, George Stoney, and Mary Warnock remind viewers that the mark of good journalism and filmmaking is consideration. They raise a number of thought-provoking questions for the media and the public it serves. When and to what extent should the media capture human suffering? In what ways should the media collaborate with their subjects to foster mutual understanding? What are the most ethical ways to structure a message so that it conveys truth? How should the media battle corporate interests that threaten democracy?
Recommended for academic and public libraries, Reflections on Media Ethics is an excellent discussion prompt and teaching tool for courses in communication, journalism, and mass media. The film’s study guide and bibliography on the film's website include a good mix of classic and contemporary resources on media ethics.