Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 17

Analysis - Essay Example Chuck Lanes decision to fire Stephen Glass can be considered as ethical and right. Lane has laid down the facts and evidences that Stephen Glass has been dishonest and fictional in writing his reports representing The New Republic. Glass stories such as the hacking report of Jukt Micronics and the drunken antics of the Young Republicans were proven to be based on nothing but Glass fictional stories. Going to the second quadrant of the box, Lane considered several values when deciding whether to fire Stephen Glass or not. Professionally speaking, as journalist, they are guided by the SPJ principles which basically states "to seek the truth and report it." It is therefore mandated that journalist "should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information" (SPJ Code of Ethics, 1996). SPJ principle ensured that journalists are bound by the code to tell the truth and become fair to the readers. In this case, Glass did nothing but invent stories made out of lies. The third quadrant of Potter Box stressed out the principles will help the decision maker which in this case is Chuck Lane to fully understand the situation. Following Kants categorical imperative which states that " Act only on that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Kants ideas include being ethical is being objective and what is right must be done whatever the situation is. Lane is being objective as he has the proofs to the deeds of Stephen Glass. Thus whether Glass has been a good employee and friend to the workers of The New Republic, he deserve to be fired with valid reasons. Last box in the Potter Box contains the loyalties. In this case, Lane as the decision maker should be loyal to the readers, the public. Firing Glass means ensuring that the people reading The New Republic get the information and reports they deserve to know, the truth. Both Angela of