Ethics within Politics and the Media

The American Heritage Dictionary defines ethics as, “The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person; moral philosophy.” The same dictionary then defines morals as, “Rules or habits of conduct, especially of sexual conduct, with reference to standards of right and wrong: a person of loose morals; a decline in the public morals.” So then to be more concise ethics is the study of the general nature of rules or habits of conduct with reference to standards of right and wrong. So then knowing what ethics are, how does one go about studying them? In researching ethics article upon article turned up referring to business ethics, the ethics committee of the United States, and the ethics of President George W. Bush. So how do ethics apply to our politics? Is there a code of conduct or a societal norm by which politicians play? Are there political taboos that go against the ethics of the people? Are their ethics in play for those who write and report about our country and if not what can we do to change that?
It must be obvious that there is a political ethical code by which presidents must play. For example, the Watergate Scandal with Nixon, Clinton’s love affair with Ms. Lewinsky, and now Bush’s War on Terror and the resources he is using to fight it, all of which threw the voters into an uproar. People of the United States expect certain moral behavior and decisions out of their presidents, but do they expect them out of their media? People do not seem concerned with how the news they receive comes to them. We do not seem to care what lines journalists cross or what lies they tell to get the story they need. More and more I have started to realize that the media is using its influence to run America, giving it more power than the government.
The media tells us what to watch, what to eat, what to wear, how to vote, and on and on the list goes. Good Morning, America does not just give the morning news and the weather, but shows which new fashions are in and gives talks on books and movies. Freedom of Speech is one of America’s most famous amendments, but is it ethical for the media to have as much freedom as they do? Is it okay that every elementary school student, not to mention their parents, can turn on the TV and watch what is happening on the front lines of the War in Iraq? I think the freedom American has given to its journalists is going too far. There was a day when the media helped the government keep spirits high and encouraged American nationalism. Now the media helps the citizens see flaws in the system and complaints arise in every quarter, because people no longer love their country or their president.
In a country where the government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, it is crucial that the people remain well informed. However, it is also crucial that these people are not receiving information which is biased and unhealthy. Americans vote for people who are ethically equipped to govern their country. Maybe it is time for Americans to vote in people who are ethically equipped to report about their country.