By Jason Luo
A topic that captivated my attention at THISAM was the role of ethics in media and journalism. The significance of ethics was a recurrent theme in many presentations, notably those by Culver, Fawcett, and Bouras. With AI's burgeoning presence in our media-centric digital world, we are compelled to confront the moral implications of technological advancements.
Professor Culver particularly underscored the importance of distinguishing between ethics and legality, positing that they are not synonymous. This perspective intrigued me as ethics and laws often appear intertwined, making their separation challenging. While I acknowledge their distinctiveness, it's worth noting that many laws are founded on certain moral principles. Conversely, as Culver highlighted, our personal ethics are significantly shaped by our lifelong adherence to these laws, making them intricately linked. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly agree with Culver’s emphasis on media literacy as a means to ethically engage with media and technology, while recognizing the subjectivity of ethics.
The advent of AI presents a novel challenge, as we explore its integration into our daily lives without compromising ethical standards or control. The potential for AI to replace jobs in journalism raises ethical questions about whether this aligns with our moral principles or violates them. In my view, the rapid advancement of technology, including AI, is inevitable. Rather than resisting AI usage on moral grounds, I advocate for embracing it cautiously, ensuring that each step of its implementation is ethically considered. I adopt a utilitarian perspective, believing that if we offer a net benefit to humanity, some ethical sacrifices may be justified. However, navigating this path will undoubtedly be complex.
Fawcett’s presentation raised another pertinent issue: data protection in an evolving technological landscape. During a discussion, I inquired whether she felt remorseful about using an ad-blocker, which affects the revenue generation of companies and content creators. Her negative response presents an ethical conundrum, balancing self-preservation and cybersecurity measures against potential losses inflicted on others.
Attending THISAM has been an enlightening experience, offering a plethora of perspectives on various topics. This past week has been immensely stimulating, and I eagerly anticipate observing the ongoing evolution of media and journalism.
