COM3707
EXAM PACK
2023
, CONTENTS
Page
Part A: Media Ethics
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 3
2 FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 01 - QUIZ ...................................................................................... 3
3 FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 02 .................................................................................................. 7
4 EXAMINATION PREPARATION .................................................................................................... 14
4.1 Tips when preparing and writing your examination ........................................................................ 14
5 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................. 14
Part B: Political And Government Communication
1 INTROCUTION ................................................................................................................................ 15
2 FEEDBACKON ASSIGNMENT 03 ................................................................................................. 15
3 FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 04 ................................................................................................ 21
4 EXAMINATION PREPARATION .................................................................................................... 27
4.1 Tips when preparing and writing your examination ........................................................................ 27
5 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................. 27
2
, COM3707/201/1/2022
PART A
MEDIA ETHICS
Dear Student
1 INTRODUCTION
We hope you have enjoyed your studies in Media Ethics thus far and that you are trying to keep
up to date with ethical issues in the media! It is much easier to understand theoretical issues if
you apply them to current real-life situations. Remember that we are here to assist you; so,
please do not hesitate to contact us if you feel unsure about anything.
The comments provided in this tutorial letter are important and will assist you in understanding
the work better. Also, they will help you in preparing for the examination. If you look at the
contents page (on p2), you will see that this tutorial letter contains feedback on Assignment 01
and 02, examination preparation guidelines and some other general comments.
Also, although we think most of you know it by now, please take note that the 2 nd edition of
Oosthuizen’s book differs slightly from the 1 st edition. It will, however, have no impact on your
studies. The work that you must know for the examination is still covered in the prescribed book
and study guide.
2 FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 01
Unique assignment number 767055
In Tutorial Letter 101, which you received when you registered for this module, we tell you that
there are two compulsory assignments for this part of the module. This section of this tutorial
letter provides feedback on Assignment 01, the quiz. The closing date for submission of this
assignment (which consisted of 15 multiple choice questions) was 1 March 2022. You should
use the feedback provided below to see why a certain option was correct or to see why you did
not have a specific question right.
Remember that the mark you obtained for this assignment will contribute to your final
examination mark.
Question 1
A journalist that decides not to reveal too much detail about the extra-marital affair of a
government minister in a story he/she writes, will be adhering to the ideas of … .
(1) Aristotle
(2) Kant
(3) Mill
(4) Ross
The correct option is Aristotle as he will be following the Golden Mean. He will therefore not
reveal all the sordid detail, but he will mention the most necessary facts about the minister’s
affair.
3
, Question 2
A journalist that publishes a story in the name of the public interest although it could have
negative consequences for the people involved, is following the ideas of … .
(1) Kant
(2) Aristotle
(3) Mill
(4) Christ
The correct option is Mill. Mill advocated utilitarianism, using the consequences of an action as
a guideline when making ethical choices. The slogan “the greatest good for the greatest
number” explains why, when a story is published, public interest will take precedence over the
possible negative consequences for certain individuals.
Question 3
A teleological ethical theory is … .
(1) relativistic
(2) consequential
(3) subjective
(4) attitudinal
The correct option is consequential. Teleological theories measure the acceptability of an action
in terms of its consequences. If we use other criteria to measure the acceptability of an action,
we are talking about deontological ethics.
Question 4
Christian ethics is an example of … .
(1) normative ethics
(2) professional ethics
(3) deontological ethical theory
(4) teleological ethical theory
Deontological ethical theory is the right option. Please see the first chapter in your prescribed
book.
Question 5
In order to follow Kant’s dictums a journalist must … .
(1) use reason to decide between two negatives
(2) must follow his/her own personal sense of duty
(3) be rational and follow certain laws
(4) strive to attain the greatest good for the greatest number
The option “be rational and follow certain laws” is correct. Kant said that a person should be
rational and use the categorical imperative when making ethical decisions. For Kant, morality
consists in following a maxim or principle out of a sense of duty, but this is not a personal sense
of duty.
4
EXAM PACK
2023
, CONTENTS
Page
Part A: Media Ethics
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 3
2 FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 01 - QUIZ ...................................................................................... 3
3 FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 02 .................................................................................................. 7
4 EXAMINATION PREPARATION .................................................................................................... 14
4.1 Tips when preparing and writing your examination ........................................................................ 14
5 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................. 14
Part B: Political And Government Communication
1 INTROCUTION ................................................................................................................................ 15
2 FEEDBACKON ASSIGNMENT 03 ................................................................................................. 15
3 FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 04 ................................................................................................ 21
4 EXAMINATION PREPARATION .................................................................................................... 27
4.1 Tips when preparing and writing your examination ........................................................................ 27
5 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................. 27
2
, COM3707/201/1/2022
PART A
MEDIA ETHICS
Dear Student
1 INTRODUCTION
We hope you have enjoyed your studies in Media Ethics thus far and that you are trying to keep
up to date with ethical issues in the media! It is much easier to understand theoretical issues if
you apply them to current real-life situations. Remember that we are here to assist you; so,
please do not hesitate to contact us if you feel unsure about anything.
The comments provided in this tutorial letter are important and will assist you in understanding
the work better. Also, they will help you in preparing for the examination. If you look at the
contents page (on p2), you will see that this tutorial letter contains feedback on Assignment 01
and 02, examination preparation guidelines and some other general comments.
Also, although we think most of you know it by now, please take note that the 2 nd edition of
Oosthuizen’s book differs slightly from the 1 st edition. It will, however, have no impact on your
studies. The work that you must know for the examination is still covered in the prescribed book
and study guide.
2 FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENT 01
Unique assignment number 767055
In Tutorial Letter 101, which you received when you registered for this module, we tell you that
there are two compulsory assignments for this part of the module. This section of this tutorial
letter provides feedback on Assignment 01, the quiz. The closing date for submission of this
assignment (which consisted of 15 multiple choice questions) was 1 March 2022. You should
use the feedback provided below to see why a certain option was correct or to see why you did
not have a specific question right.
Remember that the mark you obtained for this assignment will contribute to your final
examination mark.
Question 1
A journalist that decides not to reveal too much detail about the extra-marital affair of a
government minister in a story he/she writes, will be adhering to the ideas of … .
(1) Aristotle
(2) Kant
(3) Mill
(4) Ross
The correct option is Aristotle as he will be following the Golden Mean. He will therefore not
reveal all the sordid detail, but he will mention the most necessary facts about the minister’s
affair.
3
, Question 2
A journalist that publishes a story in the name of the public interest although it could have
negative consequences for the people involved, is following the ideas of … .
(1) Kant
(2) Aristotle
(3) Mill
(4) Christ
The correct option is Mill. Mill advocated utilitarianism, using the consequences of an action as
a guideline when making ethical choices. The slogan “the greatest good for the greatest
number” explains why, when a story is published, public interest will take precedence over the
possible negative consequences for certain individuals.
Question 3
A teleological ethical theory is … .
(1) relativistic
(2) consequential
(3) subjective
(4) attitudinal
The correct option is consequential. Teleological theories measure the acceptability of an action
in terms of its consequences. If we use other criteria to measure the acceptability of an action,
we are talking about deontological ethics.
Question 4
Christian ethics is an example of … .
(1) normative ethics
(2) professional ethics
(3) deontological ethical theory
(4) teleological ethical theory
Deontological ethical theory is the right option. Please see the first chapter in your prescribed
book.
Question 5
In order to follow Kant’s dictums a journalist must … .
(1) use reason to decide between two negatives
(2) must follow his/her own personal sense of duty
(3) be rational and follow certain laws
(4) strive to attain the greatest good for the greatest number
The option “be rational and follow certain laws” is correct. Kant said that a person should be
rational and use the categorical imperative when making ethical decisions. For Kant, morality
consists in following a maxim or principle out of a sense of duty, but this is not a personal sense
of duty.
4
