Review of "Studying mass media Ethics"

Review of "Studying mass media Ethics"
By: Bala Ram Prajapati
Author:- Nirmala Mani Adhikari
Book:- Studying mass media Ethics
Price:- 125
Page:-159 + 6
Publisher;- Prasanti Pustak Bhandar
Published Date:- 2006
ISBN:- 9933-687-8-4
"The adoption of code of ethics by media professionals can be viewed as the adoption of the social responsibility theory."(pp 27). This line clarifies the intent of the book "Studying mass media ethics" by Nirmala Mani Adhikari. Ethics means the moral principle. Ethics is the study of what we ought to do. In a real sense ethics has to do with duty – duty to self and duty to others1. It is the guiding principle that governs the individual or a profession. It is concerned with distinguishing between good and evil in the world, between right and wrong human actions, and between virtuous and non- virtuous characteristics of people. (pp 1)
The persons involved in the media are directly or indirectly involved in the affairs of public people. They have to make various decisions what to publish how. Ethics is an important concern in the field of Journalism. Mass communicators like journalist are right in the middle of all sorts of ethical problems in daily work environment2. So, for catering the information about the need of the ethics Nirmala Mani Adhikari has attempted to inform the media professional including the students of mass communication as well as the interested public about the ethics; in the media sector. The book is divided into three parts . First unit is allotted as the introduction to mass media ethics. Second unit describes mass media in Nepal and the third unit is dedicated for the various codes to ethics issued in various knocks of the world.
The book begins with the definition of ethics -- the motivation based on the ideas of right and wrong; the moral philosophy (pp. 1) then the mass media ethics and its relevance to media professionals is described. The writer has also attempted to differentiate code of ethics and law. The law gives out line of minimum level of external human behavior stating if you would violate these minimum standards then you will be punished. On the other hand, the code of ethics sets out line of ideal behavior that a professional ought to follow. (pp 5) The press or the media maintain certain standard to be accepted in the society. The freedom of press means the freedom of journalists' to convey the information of public interest they gather as well as the freedom of public to know the news of public interest. Citing the press freedom media cannot air all sorts of information it gets. It has been accepted that self control or self limitation is the best way in maintaining freedom and responsibility of mass media keeping this in view journalists have developed their code of ethics3.
A very novel issue the author has presented in the book is the ethics from the Hindu point of view. He has provided various definitions of ethics in Hindu philosophy. "Atamanam Pratiklani Paresham na Samacharet" meaning not to do any thing that you do not entertain for yourself from Vishnu Puran, and Chanakya's "Tyajedekam Kulasyarthe Gramasyarthe Kulam Tyajet; Gramam Janapadasyarthe Atmarthe Prithiveem Tyajet." meaning good for the greatest number in societal matters and good for the atma (soul) in spritual matters, are some examples (pp 9,10)
The book has sections dedicated for the further discussion in which the author has provided brief account of history of philosophy ranging from Pythagoras to Bertrand Russell. In the history chapter the author has mentioned the fact that after the discovery of scientific laws that states functioning of solar system and the evolutionary theory of Darwin the ethics changed this proves the authors claim in the first chapter that ethics is proportional to social reality and the social truth is always relative. (pp 1)
The second unit describes mass media in Nepal. In the chapter he has mentioned the early "katuwals" to latest information technology being used in Nepali media. The mentioning of the constitutional provisions has added to the relevance of the book.
The third section of the book provides us the knowledge about prevalent codes of ethics in the world. It helps us to compare and contrast ethics according to various social factors. For e.g. the Islamic mass media charter declared by the Islamic media conference (Jakarta 1980)in contrast with other media ethics has emphasized in boosting the Islam by uniting the Muslims and combating the opponents like Zionist and its colonialist policy that is creating suppression of the Palestinian people (pp 86). So at the base of ethics is an allegiance to truth (pp 1), which is always relative.
The book is very good attempt in the field of media ethics in Nepali context. Thought there are certain spaces for questions. The author would have acquired more pats on the shoulder if he had mentioned the development of ethics and ethical practices instead or along with the development of mass media in second unit. The misplacement of the journalist's code of ethics 2060 of Nepal is also notable (pp 52). It would be better if included in third unit. The author could have descried changes in ethical practice with the evolution of verious technologies like Radio (FM Radios) and Televisions instead or along with their development in Nepal.
The writer seems unable to describe certain topics adequately like "Approaches to ethics" and "Taking ethical decision by using potter's box. (pp 6-7). In unit three too the author could provide the back ground on which the ethics has been issued to ease the readers understand the social reality that ethics base upon.To sum up the book is helpful for the Bachelors level students of mass communication.
1: Nirmala mani Adhikari, Communication Mass Media and Journalism. Prasanti Pustak Bhandar, Kathmandu, 2005,pp. 183
2: Nirmala mani Adhikari, Communication Mass Media and Journalism. Prasanti Pustak Bhandar, Kathmandu, 2005,pp. 183
3; Nirmala mani Adhikari, Communication Mass Media and Journalism. Prasanti Pustak Bhandar, Kathmandu, 2005,pp. 184