In this lecture, ethics were discussed. For the first half, the guest speaker showed us cases controversial advertising. The lecturer made a clear distinction between what is ethical, and what is done in good or bad taste
The second half of the lecture saw us looking at the three fundamental ethical theories: Deontology, Consequentialism, and virtue.
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Virtue ethics was of particular interest to me, as it was something that I studied last year in high school. A branch of virtue ethics that I am familiar with is Nicomachean Ethics, which is the work of philosopher Aristotle.
Aristotle believed that the 'good life' of a man was a life of happiness. He defined happiness as - "an activity of the soul in accordance with perfect virtue". To achieve this, Aristotle argued that people should act by the 'The Mean' or the 'Doctrine of the Mean', an idea briefly discussed in the lecture.
As described on the power-point slide above, The Mean says that one must act in in moderation, so as to achieve a balance (between rashness and cowardice). Whilst Aristotle was a relativist, believing that there is more than one way to live the 'good life', he expressed that the proper way to behave in an ethical manner is through The Mean.
However, the black and white nature of Aristotle's moral guidelines, have meant that it has raised many questions. For instance, are all ethical actions, acts of moderation? Surely sometimes reckless behaviour is praiseworthy? Some people who are immoderate by nature, might not find happiness in moderation... Are 'moderation' and 'excess' culturally determined standards?
Cleaver, G. (1987). Family Relations: Marriage
Enrichment by Means of a Structured Communication Programme. National Council on Family Relations, 36,
49-54.
Glenda
Cleaver presents a well-sourced perspective on the analysis of marriage
enrichment through structured communication.
She draws on the views of family relations experts Geoffrey Leigh, Irene
Loewen and Mark Lester, among others. Although Cleaver argues that conflict in
marriage is inevitable, she looks at an experiment that investigates the
effectiveness of teaching communication skills to married couples using a
structured videotape (Cleaver, 1987).The videotape contains a short explanation of the principles underlying
communication, shows models which demonstrate the skills to be learned, and
provides practice exercises for participants (Cleaver, 1987). Cleaver
has focussed on two groups of married couples who were taught the relevant
communication skills using different methods. The experimental group was taught the skills using the
videotape, while the control group was taught the skills without the use of the
videotape (Cleaver, 1987). After discussing other experts' conclusions in relation to the findings, Cleaver says that a significant improvement was evident for both groups using the skills taught. Cleaver goes on to write that even though both
methods appear to be effective in the short term, the follow-up measures
indicated that the effectiveness of the videotape was more lasting (Cleaver, 1987).
Portrayal of the same story by three different mediums
Morton, J. (2012,
May 1). Genia signing will lead to others, says Reds. The Roar. Retrieved from http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/05/01/genia-signing-will-lead-to-others-says-reds/
The Roar online
news website advertises itself as a combination of expert columnists with edited fan-written sports
articles. The author Jim Morton, is a long-time contributor to the website, and with
no professional qualifications, his piece was initially viewed sceptically.
However, by relying heavily on primary sources to shape his article, he presents a viewpoint that is not just his own opinion on the issues. Morton has used quotes from key stakeholders in the issue, such
as Will Genia and Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie. Genia expresses his happiness
and content with his decision to stay with the Reds, despite accepting less
money than what he was offered from the Western Force. Later, Coach Ewen
McKenzie argues that the signing is a boost for the Reds, and will help to
secure other players that go 'off contract' at the end of the season. Both
sources share their view that it was the best outcome for the Queensland Reds. Morton focuses on the Queensland perspective of the issues, without
considering the circumstances of the other parties involved.
Way, B.
(Reporter). (2012, May 1). Foxsports News Australia, Sydney: FOX SPORTS
Australia Pty Limited.
A news
report on Fox Sports News provides a dramatic account of Will Genia’s decision
to stay with the Queensland Reds. Reporter Ben Way chooses to focus on the
frustration felt by the Western Force administration, as the Queensland Rugby
Union released a statement saying Genia had made the decision to move, before
he had signed a contract. Rugby WA chief executive Vern Reid is quoted,
expressing that he wished Genia had followed through on the verbal agreement
that had been made. Further, the report speculates that the QRU’s statement may
have been released to create a public backlash towards Genia and force him to
change his mind, which was described as “a sensational back flip”. He makes a controversial link by going on to argue that
the incident reinforces a history of “bad blood” among the two franchises. It
uses examples of the Western Force “poaching” players from Queensland back in
2006, when the Perth-based team was setting up.
Macdonald, M. (2012, May 1). Queensland keeps Will Genia
after bizarre backflip. The Australian, p.40
Margie MacDonald
is an experienced journalist that has been working with the AAP for a number of
years. Whilst not as emotional as the Foxsports piece, MacDonald chooses to
focus on the conspiracy behind Will Genia’s decision to stay in Queensland.
MacDonald begins by arguing that there were reasons for Genia’s change of
heart, much deeper then what he told the media. Like Jim Morton’s article,
MacDonald draws on comments made by Genia relating to why he chose to stay in
Queensland. However, the effect that the contracting incident had on the
Western Force is emphasised. The author describes the Force administration as
having had their “feather ruffled”, and accuses the Reds' move as being against
protocols that apply to player announcements. Unlike either of the items discussed
earlier, MacDonald draws attention to how Genia was “not impressed” that the verbal
agreement given to the Force on Thursday was leaked to the media.
Ignoring the 'colourful' language, this guy raises some very good points, and outlines a number of flaws with the concept of feminism. By no means am I using this video to prove my own personal beliefs on the issue, I just think a lot of what he says is worth considering.
This is an article I wrote last week, following an interview with Bobby Whitfield, Liberian refugee and Senior Community Development Officer at the Multicultural Development Association.
Many refugees face a
dangerous journey when seeking asylum to Australia, but many are unaware of the
various social challenges they face when they get here.
Even if they survive the leaking boat, the constant threat
of pirates and rapists at sea, or the dangerous environment from which they
have fled, refugees face a different challenge when they reach Australia. Past
the uncertainty of the immigration authorities in granting refugee status, lies
an unwelcoming attitude within many parts of the Australian population.
Liberian refugee and Senior Community Development Officer
at the Multicultural Development Association, Bobby Whitfield, believes that
this attitude comes from a lack of perspective on the issue. “If we talk about
countries that are taking in high numbers of refugees, those are developing
countries, neighbouring countries to where the crises are being experienced,”
he says.
“Relatively comparing that to Australia is very low, in
terms of intake of refugees” Bobby goes on. “It is just a big myth that a lot
of refugees are coming... The bigger picture is that all the developing
countries are actually taking a huge proportion of the burden of sharing the
refugee crisis.”
When asked why many Australians act as if refugees are
dangerous people, Whitfield argues that it is brought about through the
political culture. “It has something to do with playing on the fears of people,
and people trying to score political points.”
“These guys are coming in on leaky boats, not gun boats” he
says with a wry smile.
The negative social perception of refugees boils
down to the notion that they are incapable of making a contribution to
Australian society. Whitfield strongly rejects this idea. “Refugees are very
industrious people. That whole idea that refugees want to come and just punch
off the welfare system is really not true.”
“Most refugees I can assure you are people who are studying,
working two jobs... participating in our social events, some are playing sports,”
he continues.“That whole thing that refugees are going to be a burden,
yes indeed, from the very beginning, you need some support, but that is very
short term... it’s not perpetual” Whitfield says.
If anyone needs an example of a refugee making a difference
in Australia, look no further than Bobby Whitfield. In December last year, he
became the first Liberian refugee to complete a Masters degree at the
University of Queensland. With all the work he has done with helping other
refugees settle into Australia, nobody can question the contribution and hard
work of this man.
In 2006, Australia was in trouble at 5/84 on the second day
of the fourth Ashes Test. The incoming batsman was Andrew Symonds, a man whose
talent was widely known, but rarely fully exercised in the Test match arena.
The opposition had their tails up, after removing three of Australia’s in-form
batsmen early that morning. The situation was pleading for patience and calm –
circumstances in which Andrew Symonds was not expected to succeed.
He took 22 deliveries to get off the mark which for most
people would be a sign of paralysis, but in Symonds’ case, it was a positive
departure from the expectations of many pundits. It made everyone believe that
he wanted to stick around.
129 balls later, Symonds reached his hundred with a six. The
reaction that followed was rousing. It was such a genuine celebration from
Symonds, one that was indicative of the personal struggles that he had gone
through to reach that point. That century may never have happened if it weren’t
for his past failures, and all the controversy that had previously surrounded
him. Many had questioned his commitment to the game and his team, but he had
come through it.
Andrew Symonds' emotions overflow as he brings up his hundred in the 2006/07 Ashes series. Photo: Reuters
Andrew Symonds was born on 9 June 1975 in Birmingham,
England. One of his biological parents is of West Indian heritage; the other is
believed to be Danish. When Symonds was just three months old, he moved to
Australia after being adopted by Ken and Barbara Symonds. In his autobiography
‘Going for Broke’, Andrew says that he is not sensitive about his adoption, and
is very content with the parents he has. “...I’ve no desire to ‘rediscover my
roots’, and I don’t spend time imagining what my biological parents might be
like...”
Symonds’ cricketing talent was evident as a young man. He
attended the Cricket Academy at the age of 19, and made his first class debut
for Queensland soon after. However, it wasn’t until the 1997/98 Sheffield
Shield season where he began to string some performances together. He averaged
just over 50 that year, including four hundreds. He was quickly becoming known
as one of the most explosive batsmen in the country. He was rewarded for this
good form with selection in the Australian one-day side late in 1998.
He found himself in and out of the Australian one-day team
for the next five years, struggling with consistency. He was well established
as a pinch-hitter, and was yet to be taken seriously as a player that could bat
for long periods of time. Impatience was costing him, a characteristic that
would later on prove a source of concern off the cricket pitch.
Still yet to fulfil his potential, Symonds’ break came in
2003. A host of injuries to other players meant that he was sent to South
Africa on the eve of the World Cup. Whilst there was criticism that Australia
needed a ‘proper’ batsman, captain Ricky Ponting stood up for Symonds and
ultimately got him the opportunity. The next few weeks proved to be the best form
Symonds had shown on the international stage, and was a prominent figure
throughout Australia’s successful World Cup campaign.
After his outstanding performances throughout the 2003 World
Cup, Symonds was fast becoming one of Australia’s most popular players.
However, this didn’t come without controversy. In fact, Symonds had a string of
off-field dramas that would ultimately lead to his fallout from the Australian
cricket team.
In 2005, the Australian team was in England competing in a
one-day series. They had a match coming up against minnows Bangladesh, but
Symonds decided to go out on the eve of the game. "Ah, it's only
Bangladesh," he wrote in his autobiography, "a little bit of fizz
won't be a worry."
He returned to the team hotel after sunrise, and was woken
up only when team mate Michael Clarke put him in the shower. Mainly due to
Clarke’s efforts, he made it to the ground on the team bus. However, Symonds
raised the suspicions of his captain and coach when he slipped off a wheelie
bin while doing his stretches.
"You're drunk. You're not playing today," Coach
John Buchanan told Symonds.
"No, I'm right to go," Symonds replied. "I'm
playing."
Buchanan then told Symonds to “sort himself out.”
Explanations to cover the story such as flu and injury were now being
considered by staff. This did not sit well with Symonds.
"As it started to sink in that I was gone I fired up. If
you're going to drop me, then you better tell them why or I will." Symonds
recalls in his autobiography.
The story ended up coming out during the match, as Symonds later
faced a disciplinary hearing.
As Symonds explains, he then had to deal with the anger of
his team mates – "The team meeting went for ages... They might have been
my mates, but they were united in their fury at my actions."
The situation was compounded by the fact that Australia lost
the game. With an Ashes series so close, the loss put an amount of unnecessary
pressure on the team.
Ultimately, Symonds was sent home from the tour.
"... I felt as if my guts had been ripped out because
I'd let down some of my closest mates, my family and, let's face it, the whole
country.” Symonds also made himself ineligible for the Allan Border Medal that
year, further illustrating the regret that he felt.
Symonds then began the long process that would culminate in
that century in an Ashes test match. Even though he had made his test debut in
2004, he had hardly been impressive. At first, many doubted that he would ever
be capable of playing in the national test side again. Many believed that,
despite his impressive one-day performances in the past, his style was simply
unfit for tests.
But Symonds worked on his game, demonstrating a more
conservative approach in his return to the domestic competition. His performances
were telling people he could be versatile, applying new-found patience whenever
he could.
This struggle and doubt is what led up to his innings at the
MCG in 2006. To see Symonds once again be at the top of his game, and to
witness the emotion that poured out of him when he got there, was special. Whilst this is not his full story, this chapter of his career is a perfect insight into the character of Andrew Symonds.
Week five saw us listening to two interviews on ABC Local Radio. Carmel spoke with Richard Fidler, former member of comedic group the 'Doug Anthony All Stars', and current talk show host on ABC radio. In the second part of the interview, Carmel talked to Steve Austin, another long-time ABC radio presenter.
Both men shared their experiences on how they entered the industry, as well as some special moments while interviewing certain people.
One of the things that stood out to me was when Richard Fidler talked about when conducting an interview, was how important trust is between the interviewee and himself. He said that because the interviewee has no legal obligation to tell you anything, it is vital that you build a sense trust in each other to get the most out of whoever you are talking to.
"Sometimes there are moments when guests remember things for the first time, in the middle of an interview... I love moments like that, when people surprise themselves and feel they have enough trust in the program that they can say those things without me ridiculing it."
Richard Fidler (right) in the studio.
I actually found this lecture easiest to engage with. Because is was purely audio, there were no visual distractions, as opposed to being in a lecture theatre. I was able to just sit back, close my eyes, and listen.
‘The difference between commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting is the difference between consumers and citizens’ – Nigel Milan (former Managing Director of SBS)
The role of public media is to hold the public interest as its top priority. It is funded by the taxpayer, and is designed for the people. Public media is used as a tool for nation building, an expression of national heritage and identity with emphasis on local stories.
One of the questions that was posed in the lecture was Public Media's role in a democratic society. Bruce explained that is the public media's duty to support public and democratic processes.
According to Robert Richter, Public Media is important because is the last bastion of long form investigative journalism.
“It is such a special vehicle for voices to be heard … [for] visions and viewpoints … ignored by commercial media.”
