When Do Journalists Learn about Ethics? An Examination of Introductory and Graduating Students' Ethical Perceptions

Abstract

A survey (n = 212) of broadcast and print journalism students at a large Midwestern university compared ethical perceptions of introductory journalism students to graduating students. Results generally indicate that introductory students appear more ethically grounded than graduating students, who through practical newsroom experience were able to move from ethical theory to practice. It appears the more student journalists gain practical experience the less absolute their ethical perceptions, which is consistent with moral and ethical development theory. Practical experiences of internships and course lab work provide graduating students a more complex approach to ethical decision making and generate alternative viewpoints that go beyond ethical codes.