Media Ethics
 

In her latest book, Michael Jackson Conspiracy, veteran journalist Aphrodite Jones takes an inspector's lens to the facts surrounding Michael Jackson's trial of 2005.  In the book that is now being called a "masterpiece of journalism," Jones examines the ethics practiced by the media when it comes to reporting news about Michael Jackson.  Jones exposes a bias that exists in the media against Jackson, and the fact that this bias exists is a warning sign to us all.  If you are interested in learning about media ethics, this is the book you need to read.

In our idealistic view of the media, we hoist the media up on a pedestal:  the media acts as a pillar in our democratic society.  In short, the job we expect the media to do is report news to the citizens with no bias.  Sometimes, when there is an injustice in our society that is not being addressed by our government, we expect the media to find a way to redress that injustice.  The special role we ascribe to the media is so cherished in our society that we grant special rights and privileges to the press.  In the United States, our own Constitution even guarantees that there will be a freedom of the press.  We recognize that in our society, we need a free-thinking media so that our form of government can perform at its best.

But what happens when the media, as Jones has recently said, loses its professional compass?  It has happened in the manner that the media has reported -- and continues to report -- about the King of Pop.  Can it happen again?  Is it already happening?

Because the media is a business, we sometimes look over the fact that television news programs, newspapers, and magazines are all engaged in commerce.  Just like tabloids, news programs and publications are all engaged in a business to make money.  How they make money is to attract the most viewers and buyers.  By discussing the motivation to make money as one explanation for the media's obsession to trash and bash Jackson, Jones has opened up a can of worms.  So controversial is Michael Jackson Conspiracy that it had to be published as the inaugural book by a new imprint.  No previously existing, mainstream publisher wanted to promote a book, which retrospectively looks back at the Jackson trial and which espouses a warning call about a bias in the media.  We all fear -- and some of us even possibly suspect -- that there is a bias in the media.  But who among us has the guts to open up a frank discussion about this scary subject?  Many important relationships in our society are given and formed by the premise of an independent media.  What would be the dangers if that premise were taken away?
 

The moral of Michael Jackson Conspiracy should be enough to make any one interested in the independence of our media to take action.  What can we do to safeguard the media from the negative influences of bias and prejudice? 

One corrective action that consumers of media can take is to support the courageous independent voices that are working in the media today.  Buying Michael Jackson Conspiracy won't just support one book, it would an act of supporting independent journalism.