Reality-tv: etik, medier og identitet

The text “when reality gets real” is written by Jeremy W. Peters, and is about how TV-crews are often put in a position where they should help or stop a contestant in a reality show or documentary. Mr. Peters describes how he, at one point during the filming of Intervention, tried to stop Pam, an alcoholic, from driving after she had been drinking, but without luck. The show highlights, more than any other show, the situational risk TV-producers find themselves in, as they document unpredictable individuals or situations. Even though it would be morally right to step in most of the TV-crews don’t; they know that people on edge makes for good television. The creator of Intervention, Sam Mettler, says that his first priority is to record people in real life situations, but his crew is to step in if an immediate danger prevailed. Even though there is a very delicate balance between Mettler and the subject, the crew would step in if the individual were putting anyone in danger.

Give an outline of the various attitudes to reality television in text 2,3,4

As stated in the earlier questions’ response, text 2 is about the sticky situations television crews can be put in when recording a documentary or reality show. It describes how the crew sometimes steps in to avoid someone receiving a physical injury. Even though it would be the ethically right to intervene, the TV-crews sometimes don’t, because they know that dramatic scenes attract more viewers. Text 3 is also about getting more viewers, but this time viewers are gained morally. A Dutch TV contest showed a dying woman (who was an actress), and her decision to choose a patient for her kidney. Most people were repulsed by the show; but at the same time the show managed to highlight the importance of kidney donors. The last text focuses on the ethics in reality shows and documentaries. A lot of TV shows will do almost anything to make their viewers happy, even if that means they have to breach ethical boundaries. Even the contestants are willing to do anything for a cash prize, and the prospect of fame may even undermine their abilities to think rationally. Is that ethical?