A Framework for Research into Media Ethics

This paper distinguishes between two concepts of “morality” and “ethics” and draws a map for considering some aspects and contexts of ethics in media. Accordingly, the basic principles that affect media ethics as well as the extra-media factors for its construction and function are reviewed.Then, using the normative theory of “social responsibility”, the idea of media ethics is defined as something beyond individual journalist behavior.The paper critically reviews two entire on “Media Ethics” and “Journalism Ethics” from The International Encyclopedia of Communication as the starting point. It then continues to review some other influential definitions papers in search for a new conceptual framework for ethical research into media.The paper shows a shift of emphasis from the individual journalists to local, national and international institutions such as media organizations, the State and international organizations. It then introduces a framework for compiling the basic laws of applied professional ethics. In this framework, four principles of “public awareness”, “freedom of the press”, “expression of truth”, and “respect to human dignity and private life”, can help to create plural and media spaces.