Tag: ethics

The Importance of Accuracy in Journalism

infamousdolphinLeave a comment

Accuracy is the most important factor in a piece. All stories should be double checked for facts, sources and quotes in order for them to be believable. Journalists strive for factual stories.

Here are some examples of some mistakes:

1- Misspelling a name

2- Fake or not credible sources

3- Fabrication of Quotes

4- Fabrication of stories

5- Wrong title for a person (Mr., Ms., Mrs.,  Etc.)

On another note, the biggest fruit company in the world, Apple Inc. has shipped millions of its new delicious fruits called Iphones. Its former CEO Stephen Joobs, who passed out from money poisoning has come down from heaven to retrieve some of this new  delicious treats.

Integrity

therightliberalLeave a comment

The word integrity is defined by my Google search as “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”

This, as it would seem, is a key factor in a person. There is a reason that the word so often gets tossed around and applied in so many ways.

I have heard it said on multiple occasions that the generation of today lacks this quality when compared to those before us, and that statement makes me really look around and judge for myself.

Surprisingly, I would tend to agree with the above stated remark. I feel that my generation has less of a regard for integrity, it just simply is not a value that we seem to hold as dear.

As with most things, the blame can not be placed on one specific person or thing for the occurrence. But I do feel that there are some very key factors in this trend.

Money makes the world go round more than ever before. My generation has been taught that money is in fact the key to happiness and all satisfaction in life.

To achieve success through money, many feel as though cheating and lying is the way to get ahead, and in many cases they are right. The world of business can be a cutthroat place and in some situations a lack of integrity can really help you.

This sends a message of acceptability when it comes to lacking integrity. As stated in a previous blog, I believe that morals and ethics are unique to each person so this is not a judgement of people’s integrity, simply and observation.

Obviously business ties in with the world of pop culture, another area which I feel has diminished the importance of integrity.

It used to be that the people portrayed in movies were honest characters who would rather die than compromise their integrity.

I am not stating that these characters do not exist in the movies today for they are still prevelant, yet not in such an obvious manner. Added to that there is also the counter of many characters who derive their likability from their overall lack of integrity.

Again, I am not saying that this culture change is a horrible thing or that it is a positive. I simply find it interesting that our values have changed in this way.

From a personal standpoint I can see both sides. I have seen when being honest can bite you in the ass as well as the other way around. So it comes down to each person thinking for themselves on how much they value integrity.

Morals

therightliberal1 Comment

We toss the words moral and ethics around so much that I have begun to hate both words.

Now my morals and ethics have come into question on multiple occasions, just like almost any one else. Maybe it is my youth, but I find it so curious how people could tell others what is right and what is wrong.

Now I do not say this in a fully rebellious way. I think there should be laws for society to function. But I do not believe in right or wrong.

This may be because I am such an atheist and I do not see any god or such figure that has more knowledge than us who can tell us what is right and wrong. I do not feel the threat of damnation to motivate me to do the “right” thing.

Again, it may be due to my young age that I do not see that some things are just straight up wrong. There are things that I feel are wrong such as murder, but I do not feel that everyone must share the same belief.

Rules and laws exist to keep society in check and functioning. I do not believe they should be there to force people to do what is right. People will do what they will do and they must suffer the consequences of what society dictates.

But when someone says to me “How can you believe that?” I question them with “Because that is what I feel”. Why are some feelings about actions superior to others?

Who are you to question what I believe is right? Who are you to look down on me for what I think?

I feel that this is an area where we can improve as a society.

We can keep our laws and we can change them, I have no qualms with that. But we as people should be more accepting and understanding of the thoughts of others, no matter what we are predisposed to think.

Racism in Football

therightliberal2 Comments

This weekend’s friendly between Scotland and Brazil saw an ugly display of racism, one that cannot be tolerated.

I support Brazil in the international game because of how great they play football. Most Americans are incredulous on how I could not support my home country but the fact of the matter is I support Brazil because they play the best football.

During their friendly against Scotland (which was played in England), the Brazilian youngster Neymar got two goals. Being 19 years old, that is extremely impressive. But when Neymar went to take a penalty kick, a fan through a banana on to the pitch.

For someone who does not know Neymar this might seem irrelevant but Neymar is black. This is a unexcusable action that should be heavily punished. Neymar and the other Brazilian players are out showing the world their skills. They do not show hatred towards anyone.

Neymar is a young kid who is making it in the crazy world of football and he does not deserve this.

I support Scotland in most games (except when they play Brazil ironically) because my heritage is from there. But the Scottish fans who were involved in the throwing of the banana and the usage of racial slurs against the Brazilians should be ashamed of themselves. I am embarrassed to say that I support Scotland after this incident.

This is not the first time Brazil has had to deal with intolerance. going back over 50 years, Brazil has taken the brunt of many racial insults. Argentina fans often refer to Brazil as being the (n-word) team because Brazil has many more blacks due to colonization than Argentina.

France, with its large population of black soccer players, has also had to put up with racial prejudice. I will say that FIFA does everything they can to stop the hate; banning certain fans they catch on tape and even banning some teams from playing in front of spectators.

But FIFA should not be the ones who have to get people to stop, it should be the fans. As a football fan I want to say enough is enough. Supporting the other team is no excuse for being racially intolerant. Let us enjoy the wonderful skill and appreciate what there people are giving to us.