What are some of the ethical problems faced by journalists? How are they resolved?

It is not uncommon that journalists face ethical problems because they must write about delicate topics everyday. They deal with problems such as the possibility of portraying someone in a bad light, of invading privacy, plagiarizing, accepting money to write stories and many others. Good journalists will know how to avoid these obstacles.

The Potter Box is an affective model to help journalists and reporters make moral decision regarding their work. It allows people to evaluate the riskiness of their actions and come to a rational and respectable result. Crime stories or theft can be very difficult to deal with and some journalists may unknowingly make a mistake that might cost them their career. It is also troubling to write stories on government officials and public figures because they can sue for libel if the reporter is not 100 percent accurate.