Pursuing an Ethic of Empathy in Journalism

Janet Blank-Libra is Professor of English and Journalism at Augustana University, USA, where she teaches literature courses (fiction and nonfiction), photojournalism, ethics and law of the press, a variety of writing courses, and courses specific to the university’s honors program. She has twice received teaching awards and recently finished a three-year appointment as the recipient of an endowed chair that the university calls "The Chair of Moral Values," a rather weighty title that allowed her to bring ethical issues to the attention of the community.

Foreword



[Geneva Overholser]



Preface



1. Introduction: Toward an Integrated Practice



2. An Expanding Philosophy



3. A Theoretical Examination of Empathy and Compassion



4. Objectivity: A Timeworn Antipathy to Empathy



5. Against Compassion: A Quagmire for Journalists



6. Historically Intertwined: The Narrative and Empathy



7. The Empathetic Journalist in the 21st Century



8. A Model for Cultivating a Life of Empathy and Compassion



9. Research and Reflection: Fueling Empathy



10. The Moral Imagination: Reclaiming the Call



11. Cultivating Ethical Relationships



12. Empathetic Listening as a Journalistic Discipline



13. For the Good of the Soul