Reflection on Ethical Dilemma

Extract

[...] Reflection on Ethical Dilemma University of Washington Dilemmas/ ethical problem: The 16-year-old child of a well-known politician has taken their own life. You have accurate information about what happened, but the politician and their family do not wish to have a story published and appeal for privacy. Intro (dilemma problem) The ethical question should be answered in the case of a 16-year-old child of an important political figure committing suicide with false information about the surrounding conditions being in the journalist's hands. [...]

[...] Kumsar, A. K., Polat, S., & Yilmaz, F. T. (2021). The Effect on Ethical Sensitivity of Compassion Level in Nurses. Electronic Journal of General Medicine, 18(5). Miller, P. (2005). Harm reduction ethics: a promising basis for drug policy. Drug and Alcohol review, 24(6), 553-554. [...]

[...] This philosophy is not only in harmony with human dignity but also clarifies and reinforces the role of media as a force which is always for the benefit of society, and which derives its very essence from the responsibility which is part and parcel of the handling of such sensitive topics with care and utmost deference maintained at all times. Reference Anastaplo, G. (1976). The Public Interest in Privacy: On Becoming and Being Human. DePaul L. Rev., 26, 767. Archard, D. (2002). Privacy, the public interest, and a prurient public. [...]

[...] This is a very important issue that threatens the role of the media and the creation in the public consciousness as one of the culprits of such disasters. Journalists must make mistakes and instead seek to stay away by omitting facts which are proven to trigger a chain reaction, for instance, methodology of suicide. This matter should be treated sensitively; hence, it should be handled in a way that mental health of learners is promoted through provision of psychosocial support resources, instead of only focusing on the sordid details of the incident (Miller p.553). [...]

[...] Ethical Decision Upon channels like this, the ethical decision will likely go for preserving the family's privacy right. Scenarios where the information is confidential yet minors are involved especially in tragic cases, the treatment of privacy must go extra mile. On the other hand, if a journalist determines that the subject matter of the story provides a strong component of public interest-perhaps more than the privacy of the individual-this can become the focus for the story without compromising the privacy of the person involved. [...]