Question

Read the scenario. A construction company reaches out to a local newspaper with news that it will be expanding its business in the near future. The company promises to share more specific information exclusively with the newspaper in exchange for the newspaper running free advertisements for the company. What are the most ethical decisions for the newspaper to make in this situation? Select two options.

Answer 1

Answer:

confirm the company’s expansion through other sources before reporting it

be completely transparent in reporting about the company’s attempt to trade favors

Explanation:

The first ethical decision that the newspaper has to make is to confirm the company’s expansion through other sources before reporting it. This is because the company promised to share specific and exclusive information. Therefore, the newspaper team must make sure that the company is legit and has growing potentials.

The second ethical decision that has to be made is to be completely transparent in reporting about the company’s attempt to trade favors. In this way, other newspaper agencies and readers would come to know that it was a contractual advertisement rather than a paid one. It would improve the genuinity of the company as well as the commitment of the newspaper.