An Exception To The Rule: Journalism And Research Ethics

Type of content
Chapters
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
Sage
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2018
Authors
Matheson D
Abstract

This chapter argues that journalism’s ethical frameworks, particularly at moments when it is making its grandest claims to value, collide with those prevalent within universities and particularly with ethical review structures. Working through these tensions requires some accommodation from all sides, and also provides opportunities for learning. The chapter discusses how universities might recognize the ethics systems particular to practices, like journalism, which set out to serve the public good and which produce knowledge in ways distinctive to that practice. Underneath this problem is the more fundamental question of how to establish the boundaries between research and other activities that take place in the university. The chapter proposes, following Spicker’s (2007) argument in relation to policy studies, that distinctive ethical criteria must be recognized in different areas of university activity where claims to be producing research are being made. Yet it must also be noted that exceptionalism risks leaving university-based journalists with a weak ethical system. It concludes that journalists within the university have both the opportunity and obligation to extend their practice by using university processes to engage with a wide range of ethical frameworks.

Description
Citation
Matheson D (2018). An Exception To The Rule: Journalism And Research Ethics. In Iphofen R, Tolich M (Ed.), The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research Ethics.London, New York: Sage.
Keywords
journalism ethics, epistemology, research journalism, ethical review process
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Field of Research::19 - Studies in the Creative Arts and Writing::1903 - Journalism and Professional Writing::190399 - Journalism and Professional Writing not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research::50 - Philosophy and religious studies::5001 - Applied ethics::500107 - Professional ethics
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