{"id":90,"date":"2024-09-19T10:11:07","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T10:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/mediaethics\/?post_type=content&#038;p=90"},"modified":"2026-08-26T13:39:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:39:03","slug":"chapter-15-profits-wealth-and-public-trust","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/mediaethics\/students\/part-4-entertainment\/chapter-15-profits-wealth-and-public-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 15: Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><nav style=\"--separator: &quot;\/&quot;\" class=\"wp-block-breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\"><ol><li><a href=\"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/mediaethics\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/mediaethics\/students\/\">Students<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/mediaethics\/students\/part-4-entertainment\/\">Part 4: Entertainment<\/a><\/li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Chapter 15: Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Chapter 15: Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust<\/h1>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many ethical debates emanate from the competing forces of profits, wealth, and public trust. Media conglomerates, some of the world\u2019s most powerful multinational companies, often pursue profits at all costs, resulting in the abuse of media consumers. In this chapter, we consider the profit motives of these companies and of individual media professionals. We discuss both the positive effects of personal ethical behavior and the willingness to sacrifice truthfulness when it\u2019s economically advantageous. We also examine and discuss how to best navigate the persuasive influences of popular media programs that sometimes erode our individual ethical choices as well as our social norms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<media-player  load=\"visible\" id=\"vidstack-video-block_80b59b4a77af712c30d36d6ff72defcd\" class=\"vidstack-video\" title=\"Chapter 15 - Video Introduction\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/s3-euw1-ap-pe-ws4-cws-documents.ri-prod\/9781032391397\/Chapter-15-Introduction-Video.mp4\">\n  <media-provider>\n                  <media-poster\n          class=\"vds-poster\"\n          alt=\"\">\n        <\/media-poster>\n\n  <\/media-provider>\n  <media-video-layout><\/media-video-layout>\n  <media-controls class=\"vds-controls\">\n      <media-controls-group class=\"vds-controls-group\"><\/media-controls-group>\n  <\/media-controls>\n<\/media-player>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chapter 15 &#8211; Video Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/mediaethics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/Chapter-15-Introduction-Video-Transcript.docx\" style=\"background-color:#e5d6eb;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;box-shadow:none\">Transcript<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key question for the chapter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How does the human tendency to continually seek after money and power corrupt the entertainment industry worldwide?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How does human greed often motivate entertainment industry leaders to make profit more important than protecting the physical, emotional, and psychological health of their customers?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Without placing a high value on protecting the innocence of children and the integrity of the family, entertainment productions can easily drift into entertainment-degradation, resulting in entertainment productions filled with gratuitous violence and sexual content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do we balance the need to tell authentic stories through media with the need to protect media consumers from content that incited unethical and immoral beliefs and behavior?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case 67<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is the ethical implication of a Hollywood feature film being sold on DVD in the night market in Bangkok before it is released at theaters in the U.S.?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are sone of the cultural differences that lead to different understandings on the ethical issue of protecting copyright?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How might it be possible to develop an international agreement to protect the creators of artistic content from losing their means of financial support?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weblinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subject: THE SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE AND CONSEQUENCES OF DIGITAL PIRACY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/23898245\">https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/23898245<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: Global Content Piracy Soared 18% in 2022\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2023\/biz\/news\/global-content-piracy-soared-18-in-2022-1235519773\">https:\/\/variety.com\/2023\/biz\/news\/global-content-piracy-soared-18-in-2022-1235519773<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject:&nbsp; Digital video piracy costs\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/tech\/mobile\/digital-video-piracy-costs-the-movie-and-tv-industry-at-least-29-billion-study-says\">https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/tech\/mobile\/digital-video-piracy-costs-the-movie-and-tv-industry-at-least-29-billion-study-says<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case 68<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Is Oliver Stone\u2019s docudrama on former President Richard Nixon&nbsp; deceptive or simply exploratory? Why or why not?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What do you think Stone models for young filmmakers who seek to emulate his work?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are the competing ethical and moral values that should be considered when evaluating Stone\u2019s creative retelling of history?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weblinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subject: Oliver Stone Nixon Docudrama\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Weblink to Trailer: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=j9iY2lxEZfw\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=j9iY2lxEZfw<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weblink to Film Overview: <a href=\"https:\/\/crookedmarquee.com\/biopic-of-the-beast-oliver-stones-nixon-at-25\">https:\/\/crookedmarquee.com\/biopic-of-the-beast-oliver-stones-nixon-at-25<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weblink to Film Critic Review: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/interviews\/oliver-stone-finds-the-humanity-in-nixon\">https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/interviews\/oliver-stone-finds-the-humanity-in-nixon<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case 69<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How did the injustices suffered by the two creators of <em>Superman <\/em>exemplify the excesses of the profit motive that erodes public trust in media corporations?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the ethical dilemma associated with copyright battles between individuals with little resources and media conglomerates with dozens of the best lawyers money can buy?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did Warner Communications do enough to remedy the injustices done to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weblinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subject: Creation of Superman\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohiohistory.org\/origin-story-the-creation-of-superman\">https:\/\/www.ohiohistory.org\/origin-story-the-creation-of-superman<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: The Copyright Controversy\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ranker.com\/list\/how-dc-screwed-the-creators-of-superman\/stephanroget\">https:\/\/www.ranker.com\/list\/how-dc-screwed-the-creators-of-superman\/stephanroget<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: Legal Court Case Involving Superman Creation\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/business\/business-news\/warner-bros-superman-rights-confirmed-864026\">https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/business\/business-news\/warner-bros-superman-rights-confirmed-864026<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2014\/10\/superman-supreme-court-petition-denied-846627\">https:\/\/deadline.com\/2014\/10\/superman-supreme-court-petition-denied-846627<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: Compensation from Warner Communications\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1975\/12\/24\/archives\/supermans-creators-get-lifetime-pay.html#:~:text=His%20creators%2C%20Joe%20Shuster%20and,Their%20heirs%20will%20also%20benefit\">https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1975\/12\/24\/archives\/supermans-creators-get-lifetime-pay.html#:~:text=His%20creators%2C%20Joe%20Shuster%20and,Their%20heirs%20will%20also%20benefit<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case 70<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What are the advantages to the entertainment industry in producing sequels?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What does the entertainment industry lose when they do not have enough original stories to produce?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Should the entertainment industry have an ethic that favors risk-taking with original story content? Explain why or why not.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weblinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subject: Hollywood makes too many sequels\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dailycollegian.com\/2021\/12\/hollywood-makes-too-many-sequels\">https:\/\/dailycollegian.com\/2021\/12\/hollywood-makes-too-many-sequels<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/scriptmag.com\/screenplays\/depends-sequelitis-hollywoods-obsession-movie-sequels\">https:\/\/scriptmag.com\/screenplays\/depends-sequelitis-hollywoods-obsession-movie-sequels<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: Hollywood\u2019s lack of original stories\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pursuit.unimelb.edu.au\/articles\/has-hollywood-run-out-of-original-ideas\">https:\/\/pursuit.unimelb.edu.au\/articles\/has-hollywood-run-out-of-original-ideas<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case 71<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Why did the television series <em>Lost <\/em>create a respectable audience of avid viewers?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Should ABC have extended the series <em>Lost <\/em>beyond six seasons because of its cultural relevance?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why are there many television programs over the years that also created a highly committed audience but not big enough to achieve corporate profit goals?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weblinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subject: Overview of the TV series <em>Lost<\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Lost-American-television-program\">https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Lost-American-television-program<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: Fandom of the series\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.denofgeek.com\/tv\/lost-a-history-of-the-fandom\">https:\/\/www.denofgeek.com\/tv\/lost-a-history-of-the-fandom<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: Behind the scenes\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanityfair.com\/hollywood\/2023\/05\/lost-tv-show-culture\">https:\/\/www.vanityfair.com\/hollywood\/2023\/05\/lost-tv-show-culture<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: The legacy of <em>Lost<\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2019\/09\/24\/lost-15th-anniversary-drama-legacy-good-place-this-is-us\">https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2019\/09\/24\/lost-15th-anniversary-drama-legacy-good-place-this-is-us<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case 72<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Why did the acclaimed film documentary <em>Children\u2019s March <\/em>raise ethical issues because of how the film was produced?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does the practice of blending authentic visuals and action with contrived visuals and action violate an ethical boundary in filmmaking?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the filmmakers had been honest up front and told their audience that fictional elements were added to the story to more powerfully communicate to the audience the exceptionalism of these children that criticisms&nbsp; would have been mitigated?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weblinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subject: Documentary overview\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zinnedproject.org\/materials\/childrens-march\">https:\/\/www.zinnedproject.org\/materials\/childrens-march<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: Film controversy\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2005\/03\/29\/movies\/documentary-criticized-for-reenacted-scenes.html\">https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2005\/03\/29\/movies\/documentary-criticized-for-reenacted-scenes.html<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: Ethics complaints\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/goodfaithmedia.org\/oscar-winning-documentary-subject-of-ethics-complaints-cms-5580\/\">https:\/\/goodfaithmedia.org\/oscar-winning-documentary-subject-of-ethics-complaints-cms-5580\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case 73<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How did Angelina Jolie\u2019s public interviews about her battle with breast cancer affect those who admired her?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Should entertainment companies be more proactive in encouraging their talent to share with the public their personal health stories in order to educate the public about important health issues?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you think Jolie was comfortable with disclosing details about her battle with cancer? Would she do it again if she had the opportunity?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weblinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Subject:&nbsp; Jolie\u2019s breast cancer message\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2013\/05\/14\/opinion\/my-medical-choice.html\">https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2013\/05\/14\/opinion\/my-medical-choice.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/davidkroll\/2013\/12\/24\/whos-really-responsible-for-angelina-jolies-failure-as-a-breast-cancer-educator\/?sh=7883a3ef73cd\">https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/davidkroll\/2013\/12\/24\/whos-really-responsible-for-angelina-jolies-failure-as-a-breast-cancer-educator\/?sh=7883a3ef73cd<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subject: The Angelina Jolie effect\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidmc.org\/about-bidmc\/blogs\/living-with-cancer\/2018\/07\/the-angelina-jolie-effect\">https:\/\/www.bidmc.org\/about-bidmc\/blogs\/living-with-cancer\/2018\/07\/the-angelina-jolie-effect<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpsdocs.com\/blog\/angelina-jolie-and-the-breast-cancer-education-act\/\">https:\/\/www.cpsdocs.com\/blog\/angelina-jolie-and-the-breast-cancer-education-act\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hms.harvard.edu\/news\/angelina-jolie-effect\">https:\/\/hms.harvard.edu\/news\/angelina-jolie-effect<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many ethical debates emanate from the competing forces of profits, wealth, and public trust. Media conglomerates, some of the world\u2019s most powerful multinational companies, often pursue profits at all costs, resulting in the abuse of media consumers. In this chapter, we consider the profit motives of these companies and of individual media professionals. We discuss [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":50,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-90","content","type-content","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 5.0.0.1 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Many ethical debates emanate from the competing forces of profits, wealth, and public trust. Media conglomerates, some of the world\u2019s most powerful multinational companies, often pursue profits at all costs, resulting in the abuse of media consumers. In this chapter, we consider the profit motives of these companies and of individual media professionals. We discuss\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/mediaethics\/students\/part-4-entertainment\/chapter-15-profits-wealth-and-public-trust\/\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO Pro (AIOSEO) 5.0.0.1\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning - Twelfth Edition\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chapter 15: Profits, Wealth, and Public Trust - Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Many ethical debates emanate from the competing forces of profits, wealth, and public trust. 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