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Annemarie van Oosten, Rutger de Graaf, Damian Trilling, Sandra Jacobs, and Lotte Salome

Media Ethics and Governance

About this course: This course explores some of the basic theories, models and concepts in the field of media ethics. We will introduce influential ethical theories and perspectives, explore changing societal demands and expectations of media creation and media use, and we will elaborate on existing ethical norms for media professionals. After following this course, you will be able to reflect on ethical dilemmas and develop a well-substantiated argumentation for ethical decision making in a variety of media-related contexts.

Upon completion of this course, students should:

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Media Ethics and Governance

About this course: This course explores some of the basic theories, models and concepts in the field of media ethics. We will introduce influential ethical theories and perspectives, explore changing societal demands and expectations of media creation and media use, and we will elaborate on existing ethical norms for media professionals. After following this course, you will be able to reflect on ethical dilemmas and develop a well-substantiated argumentation for ethical decision making in a variety of media-related contexts.

Upon completion of this course, students should:

• have knowledge of the history and development of perspectives on media ethics;

• have knowledge of the dominant theoretical approaches and concepts;

• be able to use this knowledge to develop a well-substantiated argumentation

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What's inside

Syllabus

Theoretical building blocks of Communication Ethics
In this section, we discuss several ethical theories and perspectives, such as Consequentialism and Utilitarianism. These theories serve as building blocks for the rest of the course: when you understand the most important aspects of each perspective, you are able to use the various perspectives to consider ethical dilemmas from different angles.
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Media Governance
In this part of the course we will discuss the developments of ideas on media governance. Media Governance refers to the entire system of rules and regulation and informal societal, ideological and economical processes that influence the behavior of our media. We will start with some basic models and then give an overview of the (historical) roots of modern governance models.
Communication Ethics in Practice
In this section, we put our knowledge from the previous two modules to practice. With the use of an ethical decision making scheme, you can apply your knowledge of ethical theories to come to a well-substantiated argumentation for ethical decision making. In addition, you will learn about common ethical issues for professionals in a variety of media-related fields (e.g., media entertainment, advertising, journalism, big-data, and research).
End of the course

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines media ethics in-depth, which is critical for understanding the ethical implications of media creation and use
Taught by experts in the field, including Annemarie van Oosten, Rutger de Graaf, Damian Trilling, Sandra Jacobs, and Lotte Salome, this course ensures high-quality instruction
Develops ethical reasoning and decision-making skills, which are essential for professionals in media and communication
Provides a broad overview of ethical theories and perspectives, offering a comprehensive understanding of the field
Covers contemporary ethical issues in media, ensuring relevance to current industry practices
Requires students to come in with some background knowledge in media ethics, which may be a barrier for beginners

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Reviews summary

Widely praised media ethics course

learners say this largely positive course provides an excellent foundation in media ethics and governance. It is engaging and insightful, examining the history of media from a European perspective. Students highly recommend this course for anyone in the field of communications, journalism, or media.
knowledgeable
"The instructors are top notch and content is developed well."
"I really liked the course, it was quite informative, and difficult things were explained in simple words. Thank you to the lecturers, the University and all those who joined the creation of this course!"
"Hello everyone, I love this course which helps me with its European point of view regarding ethics media and governance."
thoroughly examined
"This course provides excellent information about media ethics in various contexts."
"I could learn the history of Media Commissions. I learned about the ethical dilemmas of journalists and possible solutions. Thanks a lot"
"The world of media is an exciting one. Social media is a relatively new instrumentarian power (still). This course helps you to identify ethical dilemmas and how to solve them."
well-structured
"The topics are well-explained and the course is structured in a way that is easy to understand and follow."
"The course is extremely well structured and delivered."
"It is an amazing course that can combine communication science with ethical perspectives."
graded fairly
"The peer graded assignments take a ot of time"
"The detailed guideline for the peer review assignments shows how meticulous the school is with this online course."
"It would be great if the last quiz could be a little shorter."
could be improved
"Overall, it's a helpful course mainly focusing on ethical dilemma between deontology and utilitarianism, and media governance models from the early modern times till today."
"An excellent source for those who want to understand media ethics as well as to built on existing knowledge of the subject."
"I hope the course instructors and the team will work on this to have a more inclusive syllabi."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Media ethics & governance with these activities:
Review Media Literacy Concepts
Begin by refreshing your understanding of core concepts in media literacy, such as media bias, media framing, and media effects.
Browse courses on Media Literacy
Show steps
  • Revisit your notes or textbooks from previous courses that covered media literacy
  • Read articles or watch videos on current media trends and their impact on society
Review basic communication theories
Refresh your understanding of basic communication theories to lay a strong foundation for the course content.
Show steps
  • Review notes or textbooks on communication theories
  • Engage in discussions or online forums to discuss theories
Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Media ethics & governance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Media Analyst
Media analysts use their understanding of media ethics to analyze the effects of media on society and make ethical choices in their own work.
Media Consultant
Media consultants advise clients on how to use media effectively and ethically to achieve their goals.
Media Ethics Officer
Media ethics officers ensure that their organizations comply with ethical standards and guidelines.
Media Law Attorney
Media law attorneys specialize in the legal issues surrounding media and entertainment.
Media Policy Analyst
Media policy analysts research and analyze media policy issues and make recommendations for policy changes.
Media Producer
Media producers oversee the production of media content, ensuring that it meets ethical and quality standards.
Media Relations Manager
Media relations managers build relationships with members of the media and represent their organizations to the public.
Journalist
Journalists research, write, and report on news stories, adhering to ethical standards of accuracy, objectivity, and fairness.
Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals, using media ethics to guide their communications.
Social Media Manager
Social media managers create and manage content for social media platforms, ensuring that it complies with ethical guidelines.
Communications Manager
Communications managers oversee all aspects of an organization's communications, including media relations, public relations, and social media.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers develop and execute marketing campaigns, ensuring that they meet ethical standards of fairness and transparency.
Advertising Manager
Advertising managers oversee the development and execution of advertising campaigns, ensuring that they comply with ethical guidelines.
Media Buyer
Media buyers purchase advertising space and time for their clients, ensuring that they get the best value for their money and that their campaigns comply with ethical standards.
Media Planner
Media planners develop and implement media plans for their clients, ensuring that they reach their target audience and achieve their marketing goals.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Media ethics & governance.
Provides a comprehensive overview of media ethics, with a focus on real-world cases and controversies. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the ethical issues facing the media industry.
Offers a comprehensive examination of the ethical principles and theories that guide media and communication practices. It provides valuable insights into the ethical dilemmas faced by media professionals and helps develop critical thinking skills.
Explores the ethical issues and challenges arising from the information age, including topics such as privacy, data protection, and the spread of misinformation. It provides valuable insights into the ethical responsibilities of individuals and organizations in the digital realm.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the political economy of communication. It examines the relationship between the media and the economy, and it explores the ethical implications of this relationship.
This influential book examines the ethical issues and challenges faced by journalists and mass media professionals. It provides a critical perspective on the role of the media in society and its impact on public discourse.
Examines the ethical issues raised by the internet. It explores the impact of the internet on the media industry, and it discusses the ethical challenges facing journalists and other media professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of media law and ethics. It examines the legal and ethical issues facing the media industry, and it valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the legal and ethical challenges facing journalists and other media professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between the media and society. It examines the role of the media in shaping public opinion, and it explores the ethical implications of this role.
Examines the ethical responsibilities of the media. It discusses the role of the media in promoting democracy and social justice, and it explores the ethical challenges facing journalists and other media professionals.

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