After completing this chapter you should be able to:

• Determine why ethics matter both during individual journalistic efforts and as a set of overriding principles for the field on the whole.
• Understand specific ethical paradigms along the ethics continuum, including the golden mean, the categorical imperative, the principle of utility, the veil of ignorance and the principle of self-determination.
• Define and explain various elements of journalistic ethics, including honesty, accuracy, diversity, independence and compassion.
• Apply ethical standards as you approach your work in the field of journalism.