Information Package / Course Catalogue
Professional Ethics
Course Code: RTS300
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and awareness needed to analyze ethical issues encountered in the fields of radio, television, and cinema. It focuses on enabling students to critically assess concepts such as media ethics, broadcasting violations, censorship, freedom of expression, public interest, representation, and manipulation. The course also aims to familiarize students with professional ethical codes and regulatory frameworks (e.g., RTÜK guidelines, Press Ethics Principles).

Course Content

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical principles and codes that professionals in the fields of media and communication are expected to follow. Topics covered include media ethics, press freedom and responsibility, broadcasting standards, the limits of freedom of expression, censorship, personal rights, public interest, manipulation, fake news, ethics in production and editing processes, ethical issues in digital media, and national/international ethical codes. Students will learn to identify ethical dilemmas, analyze media cases, and evaluate professional practices with a strong sense of ethical responsibility.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Can explain the concepts of ethics, morality, and values.
2.Can define principles of professional ethics in the context of media.
3.Can identify core ethical standards in broadcasting and journalism.
4.Can compare BBC, RTÜK, and other national/international ethical codes.
5.Is aware of ethical responsibilities in digital media.
6.Can develop ethical sensitivity in fictional and documentary productions.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Kaya, R. (2021). Medya Etiği. İstanbul: Derin Yayınları.
2.Day, L. A. (2006). Ethics in Media Communications: Cases and Controversies (5th Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth.
3.RTÜK Yayıncılık İlkeleri ve Yayın Etiği Kılavuzu.
4.BBC Editorial Guidelines
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to Ethics: Morality, Values, Responsibility
Week 2 - Theoretical
What Is Professional Ethics? An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Week 3 - Theoretical
Ethical Foundations in Communication and Media
Week 4 - Theoretical
Ethics in Broadcasting: Radio and Television Cases
Week 5 - Theoretical
BBC Editorial Guidelines and Ethical Approach
Week 6 - Theoretical
Turkish Press Ethics and RTÜK’s Ethical Guidelines
Week 7 - Theoretical
Ethical Violations: Censorship, Self-Censorship, Conflicts of Interest
Week 8 - Theoretical
Representation, Stereotypes, and Discrimination - Midterm Exam
Week 9 - Theoretical
Representation, Stereotypes, and Discrimination
Week 10 - Theoretical
Fake News, Manipulation, and Visual Fabrication
Week 11 - Theoretical
Ethics in Digital Media: Social Media, Influencers, and Algorithms
Week 12 - Theoretical
Ethics in Fiction and Factual Productions: Film, TV Series, Documentaries
Week 13 - Theoretical
Case Studies: National and International Media Ethics Cases
Week 14 - Theoretical
General Evaluation and Applied Ethical Compliance Workshop
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures5%5
Quiz1%10
Midterm Examination1%25
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141356
Reading100220
Individual Work50210
Quiz1000
Midterm Examination115116
Final Examination125126
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)128
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
OÇ-1
4
5
2
4
OÇ-2
2
4
5
3
4
2
OÇ-3
2
3
5
2
4
4
OÇ-4
2
5
4
5
2
OÇ-5
3
5
4
5
2
OÇ-6
3
5
2
3
5
4
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026