No, Sen. Hawley, the First Amendment does not limit ethical choices
By Chris Roberts Somehow, a U.S. senator with a law degree thinks that the First Amendment means a private speaker does not have the right to make an ethics choice. The background: U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., had a contract with Simon & Schuster to publish The Tyranny of Big Tech. That was before […]
Associated Press stylebook needs to step it up on language for covering the disabled community
By Zoe Norberg In the past several years, the Associated Press has added chapters ranging from social media to religion, and most recently, data journalism to the categorized section in the back of the AP Stylebook. Nevertheless, an in-depth chapter about the proper usage of disability language is absent from the stylebook––instead, this topic is […]
Tom Brady, and why it’s best to leave 5-year-old children out of it
By Chris Roberts Kindergarten teachers [note]My wife taught them for most of her 26 years in the classroom.[/note] will tell you that their real job isn’t to teach math and the alphabet. The real job is teaching 5-year-olds that the world does not revolve around them. This is an important lesson for all of us, […]
Not all opinions should be treated equally
By Maddy Ard Richard Spencer has some rather unpopular opinions. The outspoken white supremacist delivered a speech advocating for an ethno-white state on Oct. 17, 2017, at the University of Florida. Though vastly outnumbered by protesters demonstrating against Spencer, it seems Spencer’s supporters made the biggest waves. About an hour after Spencer’s speech, a non-fatal […]
Why is ethics compliance training a waste of time? Mostly, because it’s not about ethics
Slate says corporate ethics training is generally stupid — a waste of time with case studies designed to cover the boss’ backsides while not really dealing with real issues. Its key takeaway: Regulators pressure companies to implement training programs in hopes of reducing corporate crime and malfeasance. Executives implement training programs in hopes of protecting […]
AppSumo and Michael J. Fox: An online marketer makes a solid apology
If you’re in mass media or sales or nearly any other activity involving humans, write this down: Don’t make fun of sick people. AppSumo, an online selling company that relies on emails and clever writing, learned that lesson this week. Its April 25 email peddling a product included a joke involving Michael J. Fox, who […]
On Lamar Odom: Is constant celebrity news coverage ethical?
By Leila Beem Núñez When Lamar Odom was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel last Tuesday, bedlam ensued. News outlets across the nation seized immediately and persistently on the story, and there has been little rest from it since. The former NBA star and reality television celebrity became the constant focal point across national news […]
Sexism remains an issue in sports journalism in 2015
By Kevin Connell If you think you have it better off than me, there’s a good chance you’re wrong. Ask yourself, are you a male? Yes? No? If it’s the latter, then I don’t think it’s up for discussion. While I could probably use this test in most areas of our masculine culture and get […]
Steve Earle and ‘Mississippi, It’s Time:’ Why take the Lord’s name in vain when you don’t have to?
Steve Earle made a powerful statement with “Mississippi, It’s Time,” a raw and real song arguing that the Magnolia State should join Alabama and South Carolina in removing the Confederate flag. Its use of Dixie is masterful, co-opting a song now associated with racism and flipping it for an anti-racism anthem. The Southern Poverty Law […]