The Potter Box Analysis

Post #10

The Potter Box Analysis

The Pimp, the Prostitute and the Preacher

The Potter Box

Facts:  In the scenario of The Pimp, the Prostitute and the Preacher, the facts are straightforward. As the court reporter for this daily newspaper, I have decided to write the fully detailed story.     

Values: As a journalist, I value the truth above all things. In order to do so I am willing to give up privacy in favor of it. In the foregoing case, such a value system means that I am going to print every detail, because I indeed value the truth. I am not going to make an affirmative statement whether Reverend Jones is guilty or not, but I am going to reveal his name.  He might not have been considered guilty yet, but the fact that he is been considered a suspect is news. Therefore, I need to report it. For example, Queen Elizabeth called for action against some newspapers who published naked pictures of Prince Harry while he was having a blast at a hotel in Las Vegas. In contrast, I don’t think she says anything when news article say that Kate Middleton, Prince William’s wife, might be pregnant or not.

Principles: I have already made up my mind, and also I have stated my values. Now, I need to apply philosophical principles. Aristotle’s golden mean might counsel a middle ground at balances printing every detail of the story or no printing no story at all. In conclusion, many of the ethical dilemmas out there might not leave a happy ending. The truth is that Reverend Jones is been accused, therefore I need to report it because that is part of my job.  

Loyalties: I would stay loyal to my job, and what I do as a journalist. Journalists are often accused of being “out of touch” with their viewers or readers, but a fact is that the truth hurts most of the time. It is better to be straightforward and honest than to be hypocrite. I rather take a path of an absolutist view of the truth my community needs to know.