Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Ethics
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Emai.
Introduction
The main objective of this course is to study the different components that affect ethical decisions made by journalism professionals.
Pre-course requirements
No.
Objectives
- To understand the main ethical principles, values and professional standards applicable to news and information activities and to the professional practice of journalism.
- To analyse the social role of journalism and its responsibility in fostering a free, pluralistic, informed and democratic public sphere.
- To identify the main ethical dilemmas and conflicts that may arise during the research, selection, production, publication and dissemination of news and information content.
- To develop the ability to critically assess professional decisions based on ethical and deontological criteria and principles of social responsibility.
- To apply the principles of truthfulness, accuracy, independence, impartiality, transparency, accountability and respect for individual rights in the practice of journalism.
- To analyse the relationship between freedom of information, the public interest and the protection of individuals’ rights, dignity and privacy.
- To adopt a Christian humanist perspective to make decisions that place human dignity at the centre throughout one’s professional career.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Recognise contemporary social and media realities, contextualise historical events, and identify newsworthy issues at local, national and international levels.
- CN02 - Identify the various stakeholders in contemporary journalism, their roles and the operational dynamics of a digital and globalised environment.
- CN03 - Recognise the specialist areas of contemporary journalism, including their characteristics, styles, sources and specific methodologies.
- CN05 - Define concepts and specialised journalistic terminology in English.
- CN06 - Recognise the principal artificial intelligence tools with applications in journalism.
- CP01 - Work effectively in professional journalism teams, adapting to multidisciplinary and changing environments.
- CP02 - Apply professional ethical principles and standards of academic rigour in journalism, recognising the current legal and ethical framework and respecting the fundamental right to equality between women and men, promoting human rights, a culture of peace and democratic values, including the use of inclusive, non-discriminatory and stereotype-free language.
- CP04 - Manage the technical, material and time-related resources of a journalistic project.
- CP05 - Critically analyse national and international journalism in order to assess its influence on public opinion and current affairs.
- CP10 - Apply knowledge of media funding models to develop viable budgets for journalistic projects, critically analysing economic data and placing it within the business and social context of the sector.
- CP11 - Apply internal and external communication strategies to build a favourable perception of an organisation among its stakeholders.
- CP12 - Manage an organisation's internal communications to promote understanding of its values and organisational culture.
- HB01 - Interpret relevant data obtained from a variety of sources.
- HB02 - Present and defend journalistic projects orally and in writing in Catalan, Spanish and English.
- HB03 - Transform information into engaging and aesthetically effective messages.
- HB04 - Use a range of media research and documentation resources.
- HB05 - Distinguish between information, opinion and manipulation, applying verification and source-checking techniques to debunk misinformation and identify content generated by artificial intelligence.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Students will be able to:
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To define the main journalistic concepts and the vocabulary associated with the profession.
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To observe reality in order to identify newsworthy events.
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To address the challenges posed by the journalism profession ethically, with autonomy and responsibility.
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To understand the current media landscape, communication groups and companies, and their influence on public opinion.
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To acquire fundamental knowledge of journalistic organisations, their internal structure, the economic environment in which they operate, and the legal and ethical principles governing the creation and development of news organisations.
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To define basic concepts of academic research and identify the main theories, methodologies and research areas in the field of communication.
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To express personal concerns artistically through documentary filmmaking, exploring this audiovisual genre both in its informative and social-awareness dimensions.
Syllabus
Ethics, morality and professional ethics.
The social function of journalism.
Truth, the common good and responsibility in communication.
Human dignity as the foundation of journalistic activity.
The Christian humanist perspective and its application to the profession.
BLOCK 2. Principles of Professional PracticeTruthfulness, rigour and journalistic integrity.
Independence, freedom and responsibility.
Objectivity, impartiality and pluralism.
Respect for the dignity, freedom and rights of individuals.
Service to society and the public interest.
BLOCK 3. The Person, Dignity and News ReportingRespect for the person and their dignity.
Privacy, personal privacy and protection of one’s own image.
Protection of minors and vulnerable groups.
News reporting on victims and situations of suffering.
Diversity, equality and the prevention of discrimination.
Responsibility in the use of language and images.
BLOCK 4. Freedom, Responsibility and Decision-Making in the Professional ContextCodes of ethics and principles of self-regulation.
Rights and duties of information professionals.
Freedom of conscience and the journalist’s moral responsibility.
Conscientious objection in professional practice.
The conscience clause and editorial independence.
Conflicts between professional conscience, editorial policy and business interests.
Correction, transparency and accountability.
Identification of ethical dilemmas and conflicts.
Analysis of conflicting values, rights and interests.
Prudence, justice and responsibility as criteria for professional conduct.
Criteria for free, responsible decision-making that respects human dignity.
Case analysis and application of ethical principles.
Developing a professional approach committed to truth, human dignity and the common good.
Bibliography and resources
Federation of Journalists’ Associations of Spain (FAPE). Code of Ethics for the Journalism Profession.
College of Journalists of Catalonia and Information Council of Catalonia. Code of Ethics for the Journalism Profession in Catalonia.
UNESCO. International Principles of Professional Ethics in Journalism.
Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (2024). Dignitas infinita. Declaration on Human Dignity.