Abstract

This chapter explores the importance of media business ethics, why digitalization and globalization increase ethical issues, and why lack of internal accountability leads to loss of reputation and legal jeopardy. It introduces the concept of business ethics, why and how concerns developed, and the development and implementation of ethics in business and business education. It explains the ideas of corporate citizenship, corporate social responsibility, why good practices in corporate governance emerged, and the extent to which media firms conform. The chapter shows that many issues of business ethics are encountered in media businesses, including deceptive advertising, poor sales practices, consumer fraud, data privacy violations, employee relations, and employment discrimination. Finally, the chapter addresses what media educators and companies can do to promote and protect ethical behavior in media business practices.