Assertion (A): Professionalism is not very strongly developed within the media organizations and employees have relatively little autonomy in relation to management and owners.
Reason (R): Codes of ethics invariably address some harm or offence caused to an individual or group and cannot usually exert strong pressure on powerful media.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true.
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Correct Ans: (A)
Explanation:
Professionalism in media organizations remains weak due to corporate control and managerial influence. Journalists often have limited autonomy as media owners and management dictate editorial decisions. Profit motives, political affiliations, and market demands shape news coverage, leaving little room for independent journalism. As a result, reporters and editors struggle to uphold professional integrity in a highly controlled environment.
At the same time, ethical codes in media primarily address harm or offence caused to individuals or groups. These guidelines promote responsible journalism, but they lack the power to hold influential media organizations accountable. Large corporations and politically connected media houses can bypass ethical standards without facing significant consequences. Since regulatory bodies often lack enforcement power, unethical practices continue unchecked.
Both the assertion and the reason are true. Media organizations limit employee autonomy, restricting professionalism in the field. Additionally, ethical codes focus on individual grievances rather than enforcing accountability on powerful media entities. However, these two issues operate independently rather than explaining each other directly.
In conclusion, weak professionalism in media stems from corporate and managerial control. Meanwhile, ethical codes struggle to influence dominant media players. Strengthening journalistic independence requires regulatory reforms, transparent policies, and greater support for ethical reporting.
