A “Fool Satisfied”? Journalists and Mill's Principle of Utility

Abstract

Although J.S. Mill is most often identified in the same breath with utilitarianism in journalism textbooks, a thorough examination of his beliefs about morality is often lacking. Professional journalists and journalism students alike may incorrectly believe that using lies, coercion, and manipulation is appropriate behavior in the gathering of information if the consequences will lead to more benefits than harms; they might also believe that breaking the law is allowed. But when is it appropriate to use these tactics when gathering the news? Mill would stress that they look at the quality of their decisions