In an environment where cultural diversity, globalisation of the media, societal attitudes towards the media and the impact of technology on journalistic practice have heightened the ethical dilemmas journalists face in the practice of their profession as they head towards a new millennium, this paper examines two cases of Australian journalists using deception and misrepresentation in news-gathering which resulted in two decidedly different outcomes. It also explores the challenges for journalism associations and educators in their approach to the dissemination and teaching of ethics.
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Derryn Heilbuth is a former journalist who currently works as a corporate speechwriter. She has just completed an MA in Journalism at the University of Technology Sydney.
