1. Law vs. Ethics
Law and Ethics

2. Today’s topic
Today we’re talking about the difference between law and ethics.

3. What types of professions have ethics?
In your notes, take a moment to list at least five professions that have codes of ethics.
2 minutes:
Replies may vary from the fields of medicine, education, psychiatry, law and even journalism. (Many have these.)

4. Rules?
What are the ethical guidelines for these professions?

5. Example … Let’s use one we all know.
What are the guidelines or rules teachers should or must follow?
5 minutes
Brainstorm this list on the board

6. Now, let’s fill out a diagram.
Using what we brainstorme d, look at what fits in each category.
Ethics
Law
5 minutes

7. What are ethics? 1. Take a moment to come up with a definition.
5 minutes: Students should think, pair, share this question.

8. What are ethics? 1. Take a moment to come up with a definition.
2. Find a neighbor and share your definition.
3 minutes

9. What did you find? Come up with a definition as a class.
3 minutes: Definition will probably include the idea that ethics are guidelines.

10. First, let’s fill out a diagram.
What are the definitions of each?
Ethics
Law
5 minutes

11. A code ... Why do journalists have a code of ethics?
Think-pair-share this with a neighbor.
We will discuss this as a class.
3 minutes:
After a few moments, ask students to talk with their neighbor and then share.

12. Let’s put this into practice.
If you look at the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, what areas are outlined? Why do you think these are so prominent?
9 minutes:
Pass out SPJ code of ethics

13. Where should journalists be?
Where must journalis ts reside on this diagram ?
Ethics
Law
3 minutes:
Answer: Where the two overlap.
Followup question: What happens when journalists are in the non-intersecting areas?

14. Is this law or ethics? • Copyright • Paying a source
• Accessing police reports
• Being truthful to your readers
• Recording sources without their knowledge or consent
2 minutes
legal: copyright, police reports
ethical: paying sources, truthful to readers
both: recording a source -- in some states, this is illegal

15. Quiz time ... Now, using your notes, define the following: • Law
• Ethics
5 minutes