Violations of journalist ethics: professional negligence or a pattern? / Нарушения журналистской этики: профессиональная небрежность или закономерность?

World of Мedia. Journal of russian media and journalism studies. 2017. P. 200–228.

Dzyaloshinsky I. M., Dzialoshinskaya M. I.

This article analyzes violations of journalistic ethics in the Russian media. Material for analysis was collected by advanced undergraduates at the Faculty of Journalism, Moscow State University and at the Faculty of Communication, Media and Design of the National Research University/Higher School of Economics. Using the method of intent analysis, students determined types and numbers of violations of journalistic ethics, including the following typological groupings: invasion of privacy; corruption of the minds of children and teenagers; the intrusion of unverifiable agendas (creation of illusive worldviews); instilling heretical views (promoting mysticism); fermenting social aggression and intolerance; destruction of moral principles; creation and intrusion of stereotypes (idols and outcasts); traumatization of mental state (formation of a sense of fear and hopelessness); destruction (damaging) of reputation; and the formation of unrealistic life scenarios.

Based on our analysis we conclude that forms of professional behavior considered impermissible in terms of any journalistic code, appear to be “normal” in the actual practice of Russian journalists. Furthermore, we hypothesize that, due to a consistent “logic” in the frequency of such ethics violations on the part of journalists, it would be incorrect to assume that they simply demonstrate professional carelessness. Rather, the violations appear to respond to some public need. This publication accords with the specifications for Science Project No. 15-03-00514/16, and is supported by the Russian Foundation for Humanities: “Media environment: problems of security and rational usage of the communication resources”.

Keywords: журналистика, journalism, media reality, agenda, медиареальность, повестка дня, социальная ответственность журналиста, профессиональная этика журналиста, the journalist professional ethics, the journalist social responsibility