2 CBBJ3203: Topic 9 – Broadcast Journalism: Ethics, Challenges and Career.

2 CBBJ3203 Topic 9 – Broadcast Journalism: Ethics, Challenges and Career

INTRODUCTION

Ethics and code of conduct and laws of journalism are important to be

understood and practised by every broadcast journalist. This topic explains the

professional ethics of broadcasting and laws related to the world of broadcast

journalism. You have to refer to Topic 17 to 20, Unit 3, module CBFJ2103 Basic

Journalism to review the types of relevant laws and ethics for the media

practitioners in Malaysia.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Explain the broadcasting ethics that need to be obeyed by

individuals, groups as well as organisations involved in broadcast

news; and

2. Discuss the challenges faced in broadcast journalism as a career.

PHILOSOPHY OF 9.1 JOURNALISM ETHICS

SELF-CHECK 9.1

Simon contributes his opinion in a website. Is he bound by journalism ethics? 

Ethics is a code of that is important in society. The understanding of ethics is

being given priority by all organisations and professions especially in the field of

journalism, politics, laws and medicine. 

The ethics philosophy is made as a guideline and code of conduct to guide

journalists in executing their job with honesty, trust, and with the objective of

upholding the image of their professionalism. The understanding of the word

“ethics” can guide the journalists (electronic media and printed media) in proper

practices and to stay away from conduct that can jeopardise the image of their

profession.

The following is the Malaysian Journalism Canons that was declared by the

Malaysian Press Institute officially on 20th May 1989. Please refer to website

http://www.medialaw.com.sg/ethics/jcode.htm

Following are the Code of Professionalism for members of National Union of

Journalists Malaysia (NUJM).

SELF-CHECK 9.2

After you have learnt journalism ethics, do you know the difference

between Journalism Canons of Malaysia and Code of

Professionalism for National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM)?

The aim of any code of conduct is to promote good co-operation between the

employers of media organisations and the media practitioners. Refer

CBFJ2103, page 322.

REFERENCES

9.2 GUIDELINES OF BROADCASTING

Guidelines of broadcasting are formed to protect the importance of the public,

country and government from elements that can jeopardise the integration and

national growth disseminated through media broadcasting. These guidelines also

exist based on the responsibility and the alertness of government towards society’s

needs, values and the nation’s socio-culture, as well as the hope of the government

to develop a civilised nation, culturally developed with high moral values.

You can visit the Communication and Multimedia Commissioner Malaysia to

know the Guidelines of Broadcasting in detail. Please visit website at

http://www.mcmc.gov.my

These guidelines are aimed to ensure that all forms of broadcasting via radio and

television (TV) fulfil the national policies and aspirations to move towards

achieving Vision 2020. It is aimed at people who are involved in the production

and broadcasting of any materials on radio and TV.

ACTIVITY 9.1

What are the contents of Vision 2020? How does TV and radio broadcasting fulfil the objectives of Vision 2020? Diss this with your tutor.

The design of guidelines of broadcasting is implied and preordained. In order to avoid misunderstanding the context in which words are used the following few terms are used in the guidelines; they are:

Figure 9.1: Terms in broadcasting guidelines.

These guidelines encompass all individuals or radio and TV stations that have been given the licence under the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 558). Thus, all licence owners are obligated to abide by the broadcasting guidelines and instructions given by the authority from time to time.

9.2.1 Broadcast Materials

SELF-CHECK 9.3

Have you ever watched Rancangan Malaysia 2020? In your opinion, is this programme able to educate society to be more responsible towards the country’s development?

Figure 9.2 is the criteria of broadcast materials that are encouraged by the Ruler:

Figure 9.2: Criteria of broadcast materials encouraged by the ruler

Figure 9.3 shows some aspects that need to be used by broadcast journalists with caution:

Figure 9.3: Sensitive aspects

Let’s discuss each aspects in detail such as the following:

ACTIVITY 9.2

In your opinion, would it help to maintain and form a harmonious multiracial society by not broadcasting sensitive aspects? Present your opinion to the class.

The following are statements regarding the criteria of broadcast news that can be aired:

(a) Suitable and can convince the public about the national policies and plans;

(b) All broadcast news coverage or statement reports, facts and statistics used are correct and can be held to be responsible;

(c) Pictures of people that reflect multiracial society;

(d) Body gestures than can be accepted by Malaysians that show the feelings of harmony between the Malaysian leaders with people outside the country;

(e) News about the prime minister and the deputy prime minister with other cabinet ministers can be broadcasted along with other current issues (local and foreign) that can be considered to be prime news;

(f) News about the government’s and other agencies’ activities;

(g) Any news coverage, articles or reports that respect and follow the national rules and etiquette to uphold the country’s leaders like The National Leader, Kings, and others;

(h) The roles of the society in nation building; and

(i) The names of dead people who are involved in accidents can only be broadcasted when the families have already been informed.

In Figure 9.4, there are several examples of broadcast news criteria that cannot be

broadcasted in local broadcasting stations.

Figure 9.4: Criteria of broadcast news that cannot be broadcasted

9.2.2 About Artistes

These guidelines also stress on the mannerism of artists involved in broadcasting.

Figure 9.5 shows some guidelines that need to be followed by artistes who are

involved in broadcasting.

Figure 9.5: Guidelines for artistes

(a) Hairstyle

This guideline refers to male and female artists. For male artists, the hair

cannot be kept long or at least is not longer than the shirt collar. Hair must

also be neatly combed. Should an artist keep long hair but tied in a bun, it

cannot be hidden under the cap or songkok.

For female artists, they are free to be fashionable and with freedom to

choose the hairstyle as long as the hair is neatly combed.

(b) Clothes While Performing

For male artistes, clothes must be complete, neat and tidy. The clothes worn

must not be too tight and they cannot have pierced nose and ears.

For females artists also, the clothes must be complete, neat and tidy. Besides

that, they are not supposed to reveal parts of their chest and abdomen.

Should they wear a skirt, it must be below the knee and the slit is either in

front, at the side and must not be more than two inches above the knee.

In addition to the guidelines on the hairstyle and what they should wear for

male and female artists, the following are some of the guidelines that need

to be followed by them.

Figure 9.6: Additional guidelines

(c) Movements while performing

Movements must be polite (be careful with your language and words).

Artists are also reminded not to show their back to the audience and

perform high kicks towards the direction of the audience is not allowed at

all. Furthermore, the audience should not be aroused to act wildly.

(d) Behaviour

The guideline for behaviour is targeted at two groups. They are:

- artistes

- producers, directors and crew members of productions.

(i) Artistes

Artistes should not discuss committing sinful acts or touch on the

issues of religion or races through the lyrics of their songs, comedy

scripts or drama and many others. Beside that, they should not be

involved in any immoral or anti-social acts.

Artistes who are charged and proven guilty by any court of law in

Malaysia or overseas for a crime, involving immoral acts are

automatically banned from participating in any performance on any

radio and TV stations under the Ministry’s jurisdiction for a certain

period of time. The Ministry has the right to revoke the ban should

the artistes involved is freed from the charge by the courts of law and

is known to be no longer involved in such acts.

(ii) Producers and Directors

Producers and directors who are involved in immoral acts and are

prosecuted and sentenced in a court of law, will not have programmes

broadcasted on radio and TV. The ministry has the power to revoke

the ban should the producers and directors involved are freed from

prosecution and are no longer involved in such activities.

9.3 CAREER IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM

ACTIVITY 9.3

In your opinion, do you think that only graduates from the Communication field should be allowed to get positions in broadcast journalism?

Credibility and authority are the main qualities that every newsreader should have.

A career as a journalist not only gives you the chance to meet leaders, politicians,

businessman and many others, but also exposes the journalist to every level of

society, situations and also life.

Thus, a person with an ambition to be a journalist in Malaysia should have the

skills in writing, be conversant with Bahasa Malaysia and English and other

languages as well as be talented and creative in producing ideas. Without any of

them, it would be difficult for a journalist to succeed in this field. This is because

a career in journalism requires a journalist to write their own news (including

special reports) fluently and to make it understood.

As we have discussed in Topic 1 of this module, the personal criteria of a good

journalist is an interest in this job and is talented and has a high level of

creativity, besides being proficient in Bahasa Malaysia and English. Your

willingness to work at odd hours and places, is a main advantage that will help

you succeed in journalism because this field requires you to meet, interact and

interview individuals, groups or organisations from every level, positions and

places. You must always be updated with current developments, and be

prepared mentally and psychologically at all times.

9.3.1 Requirement to Start a Career in Broadcast

Journalism

The rapid development and growth in the printed and electronic media industry has opened windows of opportunity in this field. In TV stations, especially RTM, TV3, ntv7 and news stations, like 8TV, TV9 and ASTRO offer careers in Broadcast Journalism.

Individuals who are interested in making broadcast journalism as a career should possess at least an SPM certificate with distinction in Bahasa Malaysia and English. For those with a diploma or degree in journalism or communication, their chances of getting into this field are higher.

Other than that, candidates who possess a diploma or degree in other fields but

have a inclination to journalism can also apply to be journalists.

In order to test your understanding, please answer the following questions.

EXERCISE 9.1

1. You are a member of NUJM. What should you abide by if you work as a broadcast journalist in a TV station?

2. As a TV news producer, what would be your advice to the talents who are involved in the production of your news programmes?

􀁸 This topic has explained the ethics of journalism especially broadcast journalism.

􀁸 As a journalist, be it in the printed or electronic media, you must be sincere, honest, hardworking and trustworthy in executing your work at any place and time.

􀁸 These journalistic ethics offer guidance for media practitioners to stay away from behaviour that can tarnish the good name of the practitioners, media organisations and the country.