Assignment - Ethical analysis of news issue

You are required to select one of the four topics listed below and clearly define one focused and specific ethical issue which you will analyse in parts a to f.

The four topics are

1. Social media;
2. Media and advertising;
3. Corporate environmental impact;
4. Economic globalisation.

You are required to select an ethical issue which has been reported in the news media in the past 12 months. Collect one recent (2015 or 2016) news article which identifies the issue, and perform further research to collect relevant background information and facts, to enable you to answer each question listed below.

You must provide a full reference of all sources of information you have used to inform your research. Provide separate answers to each of parts ‘a to e' of this assessment under clearly headed sections:

a. Clearly define the ethical issue and provide a brief explanation as to why it is important.

b. Identify facts and key assumptions which are relevant to your analysis of the ethical issue.

c. Analyse the ethical issue using act utilitarianism, identifying all relevant consequences. Compare negative versus positive consequences and assess whether net utility will rise or fall as a result of the ethical act being examined.

d. Apply Kant's categorical imperative by defining the rule that authorises the act central to the ethical issue you have chosen. Discuss whether this rule can be applied universally.

e. Provide a conclusion comparing results in parts c & d above identifying whether your ethical conclusion equates with your conscience on this issue.