Do local government officials, including mayors and city presidents, act ethically if they treat local government newspapers that are published in print form and/or in electronic form on a website by local government publications financed from the state's public finance system or from the local government budget as a propaganda tube of their person?
It happens more than once that local government officials, including mayors and city presidents of local government newspapers that are published in print form and/or in electronic form on a website by local government publishing houses financed from the state's public finance system or from the local government budget treat them as a propaganda tube of their person. In your opinion, is this ethical, socially responsible and in line with citizens' expectations? In this regard, in some countries there has been a discussion for years whether this kind of local media is needed since it is mainly used by local government authorities to promote themselves in the context of the next local elections. This kind of discussion has been going on for many years in the public debate in the country where I operate. The basis of the consideration is the issue of spending money from the state's public finance system to carry out such propaganda publishing activities of local government units. In addition, it has happened more than once that local government authorities have obtained additional funds from the state's public finance system to carry out the digitization and Internetization of the publishing process of local government journals published. However, during this process, the issue of objectivity and journalistic integrity of the information presented in these magazines was not improved, and still transferred to the Internet, local government magazines are used as an instrument of political marketing, where local government authorities promote themselves, present their achievements only in positive aspects with not allowing a word of criticism, discussion, polemics coming from the local community.
In view of the above, I address the following question to the esteemed community of scientists and researchers:
Do local government officials, including mayors and city presidents, act ethically if local government newspapers, which are published in print form and/or in electronic form on the website by local government publications financed from the state's public finance system or from the local government budget, treat them as a propaganda tube for their person?
Are local government officials acting ethically if they treat local government newspapers as a propaganda tube of their person?
And what is your opinion on this topic?
What is your opinion on this issue?
Please answer,
I invite everyone to join the discussion,
Thank you very much,
Best regards,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
The above text is entirely my own work written by me on the basis of my research.
In writing this text I did not use other sources or automatic text generation systems.
Copyright by Dariusz Prokopowicz
No, local government officials should not act ethically if they treat local government newspapers as a propaganda tube for their person. Ethical behavior requires that officials act in the public’s best interest without any bias, prejudice, or personal agendas. As a result, treating a local government newspaper as a propaganda tube would not be considered an ethical action.
I have long been inclined to say that this sort of public political propaganda is unethical in the context of a governmental form in which office holders and chosen by a general election. I consider it an abuse of taxation to use public resources to promote those who happen to have won an election. Consider the issue from another point of view. What if those who had not won the office but who intend to run for that office in the future, used public resources to run propaganda against those currently in office, while no such resources were allocated for favorable propaganda? Would that be any different a case?
Voters have a right to the information relevant to their decision-making at the polls. To deny them that information, or to ensure that only a distorted, one-sided view is made available to them, is a direct affront to their capacity to act responsibly on election day.
Public outlets can ethically report on what actions are taken, and what policy platforms those actions reflect. But I think when we get into the area of what people call "spin", or when we report intentions or conjectural projections as outcomes ("Mayor Smith approved $400,000 for such-and-such, increasing literacy by 75% over the next five years."), we cross the line.
No, but most of publications funded and controlled by governments used as a tool of propaganda.
No, they do not cat ethically due to ethical laws governing their profession, which is the ideal. Again, yes they also act by treating it as a propaganda machine because of the reality on ground with regards to keeping their jobs in the establishment. So, it is matter of political economy.
Dear Sir;
Obviously No.....this is because media such as newspapers and television news should be transparent, fair in reporting and free from any conflict of interest. Fundamentally, Newspapers should be the watchdog between the government and the society. Well some of the countries do have this scenario as the license of the newspapers and television are given by the authority that is the government so government controlled the flow of the news, gatekeeping and the reports are more inclined to the governments' side. This is unjust for the society as they have the rights to know the Credible News nothing but the Truth. Thus, for that matter, some of the local readers see this as news slant and the society then resort for the alternatives newspapers or social media sites such as blogs and other unofficial media platforms. All in all, the newspapers and television news should stand alone and be neutral not to be used as Propaganda tool by the political masters, hence it is vital for the media not to take any sides free from the government's influence. They should report the Truth, fair in reporting and if any government ministers or politicians are doing any offences or lawful acts such as breach of trust, corruption, nepotisme, cronysme, negligence of responsibility, scandals; the media practitioners who are working in the newspapers and reporting news on Television should expose their wrongdoings so that it gives the public enlightenment, true information that their wrongdoings are prohibited regardless they hold the post in the government administration. Media such as newspapers should prolong the Trust from the people. (Society) That is my 2 cents.
Wish ya All the Best, Sir
Thank You
- Norazlinda Hj Mohammad-
Local government officials undermine ethical standards when using local government newspapers as propaganda tools for personal gain, jeopardizing transparency, accountability, and the public's trust in the democratic process.
Sir, I can say big 'NO'! Because they place themselves above the law in that area!!!
Not at all, this is based on the fact that Newspapers either local, regional or national should be an instrument for the dissemination of objective information for the protection of public interest. Hence, propaganda in the media ecosystem is a tool for information disorder and against the ethics and standard of Media practice. Therefore the local government officials have no justification to employ such unethical strategy.
My response will entail 2 perspectives.If we call it a "propaganda" highlighting the good work done, achievements etc which is not completely true, then for sure is a big No, they are not being ethical.However if they exhibit progress reports of all projects, initiatives that the local govt is doing , also including areas where they are yet to take larger steps and create an impact, then there is no harm.It is another medium to leverage to be a dashboard for the general public and reach out to the local population.
Da. Este etic. Administratia nu este stat in stat sa unu este paralela cu societatea. Sistemul de mas media nu trebuie sa fie num ai critic (in dorinta de a face rating ziarului sau televiziunii). Adminsitatia publică trebuie sa explice prin canale proprii ce se intimpla cu administrarea resurselor societatii! Societatea nu se poate splita in buni si rai, functie de frustrari si competente. In cercetare, unii, imbratiseaza polemica si negatia ca instrumete de formare a opiniei publice.
They usually utilise such newspapers to realise their objectives. So these newspapers would be an instrument to fulfil personal benefits
Dariusz Prokopowicz Fabiyi Olawale Tanimola
Treating local government newspapers solely as a propaganda tool for personal promotion raises ethical concerns regarding the impartiality and integrity of local government officials. Ethical behavior in governance necessitates transparency, accountability, and a commitment to serving the public interest rather than personal agendas. When officials misuse government-owned newspapers to promote themselves or their political interests, they undermine the credibility and trustworthiness of the institution they represent. Such actions can erode public trust in government and compromise the democratic principles of fairness and impartiality. Ethical conduct requires officials to prioritize the dissemination of accurate information, diverse viewpoints, and community interests through local government newspapers, fostering informed civic engagement and upholding the principles of democratic governance. Therefore, it is essential for local government officials to uphold ethical standards by ensuring that government-owned newspapers serve as platforms for transparent communication, community engagement, and the dissemination of impartial information rather than tools for personal propaganda.
- Badges
- Science topic