Running head: PODCASTING AND ETHICS

Podcasting and Ethics

Gail Hunter, M.Ed.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

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Podcasts have turned out to be a “disruptive technology”, which is something that is

ground breaking in a particular industry. Podcasting is basically a new type of radio technology.

Without formal training anyone can have their own radio show for any audience who is

interested. They don’t have to apply for the job or get a license to broadcast. There are websites

that provide best practices and guides with prudent advice and host companies that provide the

carrier service also give lots of advice on how to get the best out of your podcast and be the best

you can be as a podcaster.

The term “podcast” actually combines the words iPod and broadcast. The iPod was a

gadget that allowed peer-to-peer file sharing, private music enjoyment. But then Podcasts sprung

up as a method of sharing verbal ideas. Now iPods are obsolete in that any mobile phone has the

capability of downloading a host app such as iTunes allowing anyone to access podcast

discussions at any time is anyplace. No more gathering around a radio. This is individualized

radio on the go. It is a seamless integration of personal journalism providing opportunities for

listeners to multitask or give their full attention. Featured shows with new episodes spontaneous

or scheduled and access at anytime, some on actual network featuring multiple shows

(Schnackenberg, 2009).

Formal laws governing this technology have had to address ownership and usage nuances

for the digital world. Legal and ethical implications of creating and using this media with or

without graphics have compelled journalism professionals to consider internet podcasting as an

liable of the same infractions as print and television media. Performance rights license

considerations for audio or video files must be governed for use on mobile devices and personal

computers regardless of delivery method which could entail direct download subscription feeds

of automatically delivered new content or simple downloads and real-time streaming. Early in
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the development of podcasting artists were not using this medium for promotion. Now they have

taken advantage of the inexpensive outlet. One could argue that listening like radio to lectures,

talk shows, commentaries, and news is intellectualizing activity that benefits society.

This is not just another entertainment delivery method because it has value for special interests

groups, formal and informal education, and lectures that enhance the learning process. Lecture

casting can increase attention, motivation and interest in course material. Viewers can engage at

their own pace with supplemental learning opportunities (that allows multi-tasking especially

while driving,) via a link on the teacher’s website or course website. This is useful for some

learners who don’t like to read, and for the visually impaired.

Journalism, no matter how informal, is not a neutral transmitter of information (De

Maeyer, 2017). Producers of podcast must keep some psychological issues in mind that apply to

ethical journalism. For instance, the mood of a presentation can impact the audience emotionally

whether intentionally or not. It is the responsibility of the podcaster to know the effect the

message and its delivery style will have on the audience including the range of possible

personality types and mind sets. Journalism is a very powerful tool and in the wrong hands

certain minds can be incited to marginal ideologies and subsequent problem behaviors.

Podcast typically provide a more in-depth picture of an issue than mainstream media and

sometimes those details can inspire intense passions. If a podcaster uses the podcast as a platform

to vent frustrations and hostility then they must be held accountable for the actions inspired by

their venom charged words. Podcasts allow us to support the public’s right to know and the free

flow of information. However, word choice, use and over use can create a “groupthink” climate

and culture where words become “weaponized”. The first amendment legally permits what can

be done but the professional Code of Ethics morally governs what should be done (Seaman,
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2018). The truth is not only objective but subjective and that is what podcasters can provide.

Podcasts can use the imagination of the listeners to create better realities and more enduring

truths.

Unethical podcasts practices have been outline by Daniel J. Lewis in his February 3, 2015

episode Ethics in Podcasting? – TAP208. One problem with podcast is that they can be difficult

to find. In response to this problem Twitter-bombing is an unethical practice where a post tweets

every few minutes and when the curious click on it the podcast downloads inadvertently. This

artificially inflates the visitor statistics, and bypasses the platform provider. This promotional

method is not recommended because the public may form a negative opinion of the podcast and

its producer (Lewis, 2015).

Sometimes a podcast producer can make an undisclosed commercial promotional

agreement and never reveal it to their audience. Profiting surreptitiously is not fair to loyal

listeners and smacks of subliminal influence brainwashing. Similarly making promises to

companies to promote or favorably mention their products or services and then not doing so is

bad business practice.

To be sure podcast producers should strive for full disclosure valuing honesty as a top

priority. The essence of a discussion of ethics is the word “responsibility”. The opportunity to be

heard by an audience of potentially hundreds of people is a huge responsibility. In a democratic

society individual rights are respected and expected (De Maeyer, 2017). Even if the podcast

reaches non-democratic countries producers are obligated to uphold American values and

represent our ideals. The New York Times Atlantic essay series entitled “Can technology rescue

democracy” ignites a beacon of hope that rescue is possible but more than possible it is

imperative - morally imperative.

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References

10 lessons in journalism ethics http://disq.us/t/36tcxc5. Andrew Seaman former Chairman of the

SPJ Ethics Committee https://www.quillmag.com/2018/09/30/10-lessons-in-journalism-

ethics/

De Maeyer, J. (2017). The Atlantic. Podcasting Is the New Talk-radio

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/05/how-podcasting-is-shaping-

democracy/524028/

Lewis, D. J. (2015). Ethics in Podcasting? – TAP208 https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/ethics-in-

podcasting-tap208/

Schnackenberg, H., Vega, E., & Relation, D. (2009). Podcasting and vodcasting: Legal issues

and ethical dilemmas. Journal of Law, Ethics, and Intellectual Property, 3(1). Retrieved

on July 7, 2009, from http://www.scientificjournals.org/journals2009/articles/1461.pdf