One of the most influential people in movies and in television, Robin Williams, committed suicide August of 2014. Robin Williams was a comedian, actor, director, producer, writer, singer and voice artist. Robin was also a loving husband and father to three children. Most people know Robin Williams from his roles in hit movies such as “Good Will Hunting”, “Dead Poets Society”, “Mrs. Doubtfire” and his voice over work in Disney’s “Aladdin”. The death of Robin Williams led to a wave of ethical dilemmas in contemporary journalism from a variety of sources. Big players in the media industry such as ABC, CNN, CBS and FOX, along with LA Weekly, Radar Online, and UK Channel 4, all were under scrutiny after publishing false or negative articles related …show more content…
“And yet, something inside you is so horrible or you’re such a coward or whatever the reason that you decide that you have to end it. Robin Williams, at 63, did that today.” Robin Williams suffered immensely from Lewy Body Dementia. His late wife, Susan Schneider, came out in an interview describing how his disease led to his suicide. (E News) Susan did announce this after Shep Smith’s news report, however, instead of making accusations and diminishing the character of Robin Williams, the news reporter could have shown more carefulness and sympathy for the actor and his family. In Utilitarianism, Mills states that ethical decisions have to favor the public. Angry tweets, multiple articles describing how Shep Smith acted in his report, and videos and letters from fans expressing their disgust, is proof there was no attempt at favoring the public at all. (mediaite.com) After all of the negative press associated with Shep Smith’s comment, he did in fact come out to apologize for what he said. Some people view John Stuart Mill, and his theory of Utilitarianism, as having a negative impact on journalism. It has been argued that Utilitarianism is useless and ignores justice. Without John Stuart Mill contemporary journalists would be viewed as unethical and rude. The introduction of Utilitarianism to society in the late 1800s has allowed journalists today to relate closer to the public, and gain more of the public’s trust. A reporter that does not meet the ethical standards of the majority of his or her audience breaks this trust with the public, and loses his or her’s
In Rushworth Kidder’s book “How Good People Make Tough Choices,” Kidder provides a series of different methods, codes and examples of what being an ethical journalist could mean. He gives examples of different situations where a person’s ethics are tested and what would be a good way to deal with these situations. He starts by explaining the difference between things that are right-versus-right dilemmas, and those that are right-versus-wrong dilemmas.
Clare Boothe Luce, an American journalist and politician, delivered a speech in 1960 to the Women’s National Press Club in front of the American press to criticize journalists for the misinformation they publish in order to challenge them to start publishing the truth rather than writing what the public wants to hear. Luce appeals to the audience of journalists using her role as a politician, comparison, and emphasis to persuade journalists to start writing the truth, no matter how dull, in order for American citizens to truly understand what is going on in today’s society. Throughout the speech, Luce speaks to the audience of journalists about how the information they release shouldn’t be falsified for a myriad of buyers or views. Although
From top to bottom, John Stuart Mill put forth an incredible essay depicting the various unknown complexities of morality. He has a remarkable understanding and appreciation of utilitarianism and throughout the essay the audience can grasp a clearer understanding of morality. Morality, itself, may never be totally defined, but despite the struggle and lack of definition it still has meaning. Moral instinct comes differently to everyone making it incredibly difficult to discover a basis of morality. Society may never effectively establish the basis, but Mill’s essay provides people with a good idea.
Not knowing what to do, businesses tried to buy out journalists to silence them and to pay for advertisements in the newspapers (Seitel, 2006, pg. 29). This strategy did not work for long however because “the best way to influence public opinion was through honesty and candor” (Seitel, 2006, pg. 29). Out of this idea came the first great public relations counselor, George V.S. Michaelis
Robin Williams: Living the American Dream Americans are blessed with the freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Each person is entitled to pursue the true dreams and desires of his or her heart. These individualized opportunities are often referred to as the American Dream. Difficulties frequently arise on the journey to one's dream. One must find a way to conquer these struggles to make his or her dream a reality.
John Stuart Mill believes in a utilitarian society where people are seen as “things.” Moreover, in utilitarianism the focus of the goal is “forward-looking”, in looking at the consequences but not the ini...
John Stuarts most famous essay, On Liberty came out in 1859. His father, James Mill, who was said to be a strict Utilitarian, raised him. Mill had a difficult childhood; he suffered a nervous breakdown when he was 21 when we first began to question his beliefs. He later on continued to struggle with his sense that Utilitarianism was too unemotional and that it failed to capture or understand the higher pleasures. Thus where On Liberty comes into play, this essay was established to broaden the meaning of utility and show that Utilitarianism can in fact provide a strong pr...
Utilitarianism was initially a school of thought brought about by Jeremey Bentham throughout the late Eighteenth and early Nineteenth Centuries. John Stuart Mill would later go on to shape it closer to the form we know today. On the surface the Utilitarian way of thinking seems simple: every action must be done for the sake of the greater good. However, as one digs deeper into this notion it is clear that this cannot be achieved by relying solely on a common sense approach to life. In the following paragraphs we will explore the history of Utilitarianism and those who formed it, how it is meant to guide life, and how it is relevant to life in the Twenty-first Century.
In the summer of 2006, Robin suffered a drug relapse, and he admitted himself to a rehab facility for alcoholism treatment. He quickly recovered and in 2007, he was back on his feet. In March 2009, Robin started to experience shortness of breath and with this he had to cancel a show and underwent heart surgery. Robin Williams has three children, Zachary, his son with Velardi, Zelda and Cody, his two children with Garces. August 11, 2014, 63-year-old comedian Robin Williams was found dead in his California home. His publicist said that Robin Williams was battling a severe case of depression of late. Susan Schneider disclosed that her late husband had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which he did not reveal publicly. She also confirmed that he was indeed battling depression and anxiety, but even with these problems he had maintained his sobriety. His wife, Susan, says “His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the job and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal
Robin Williams, born July 21, 1952, is an exceedingly creative actor and comedian educated at Juilliard. He is most famous for his improvisational style. Williams debuted his talent for the art of acting on the television show, Mork and Mindy, and in his first film, Popeye. For the beginning several years of his career, he acted in several comedies; however, he later took on darker roles such of those of Insomnia and The Night Listener. Williams’ most notable parts are his characters in Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society. However, aside from Robin Williams’ successful career, he has faced many personal challenges (“Biography”).
Topic: Biography of Robin Williams. Organizational Pattern: Chronological. Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about Robin Williams and his life. Primary Audience Outcome:
Act-utilitarianism is a theory suggesting that actions are right if their utility or product is at least as great as anything else that could be done in the situation or circumstance. Despite Mill's conviction that act-utilitarianism is an acceptable and satisfying moral theory there are recognized problems. The main objection to act-utilitarianism is that it seems to be too permissive, capable of justifying any crime, and even making it morally obligatory to do so. This theory gives rise to the i...
Wolper, Allan. “Ethics Corner: Did Critical Media Send Dean Packing?” Editor & Publisher March 2004: 25.
“Power is the ability to define reality and to have other people respond to your definition as if it were their own (Nobles).” People fail to see responsible journalism as a crisis because it is so convenient to have news media make up your mind for you. The foundation of our personal philosophies stems from irresponsible journalism through the major news sources we consume, the exposure to less responsible entertainment, and the biased reporting enforcing negative stereotypes.
Meyers, C. (2010). The 'Standard Journalism ethics: a philosophical approach? Oxford University Press. Nordenstreng. K. (1995)