Knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do: Media/Ethics

In media and communication, you have to learn the difference between ethics and morals. Ethics is based on an intellectual level whereas morals are habits similar to character traits. Ethics shows learning right and wrong without the influence of religion. With morals, it ties into your relationship with religion. For example, the bible has ten commandments. All of them are telling you how you should act. Such as “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Therefore, treat your neighbor the way you would treat yourself. Ethics is the opposite of this. Ethics is whether it is legal. Ilegal things such as robbing a store or murdering someone are unethical. The issue with people not knowing the difference between morality and ethics is that they are projecting their feelings/religion. A Catholic woman telling a non-Catholic woman that divorcing her husband is unethical. She would be incorrect because it is not illegal to get a divorce. The Catholic woman is referring to her religion which states divorce does not exist. There is a distinct difference between the two.

With ethics, there are different approaches. One is the Ultarian approach. You have two ideas and you choose the one that has fewer risks. It is a tough decision, but one will have a better outcome. The more ethical approach if you will. Another approach is the Fairness/Justice Approach. All free men are treated equally, except when morals come to play. If we refer back a couple of centuries, we can see this pan out. Free men were considered free white men, especially those with the land. Other men were not a part of this approach. Nowadays, it is unethical to discriminate based on gender and race. Being knowledgeable of ethics and morality will give you a better outlook on life.

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