Legal and Ethical Issues in Multi Media Uses

¶ … Multimedia Uses

Multimedia can be taken to be the presentation of animation, sound, video, graphics as well as text through the use of computers and in a way that can largely be said to be integrated. Stamatoudi further notes that multimedia is that which brings about an integration of communication into a single medium (20). In this text, I contrast and contrast the various legal and ethical issues surrounding multimedia.

Background of Facts

Whenever there is a discussion of issues to do with multimedia, the internet cannot be far off. Today, the Internet has become a key tool of communication and individuals from all walks of life find it largely convenient as far as the aggregation as well as sharing of a wide range of content is concerned. However, it is increasingly becoming necessary for professionals in a wide range of fields including but not limited to journalism, accountancy as well as consultancy work to understand and be on the lookout for the various ethical as well as legal issues which may come up in the course of their interaction with multimedia. Some of the most common issues that are worth considering in this regard are the existing terms and conditions in regard to the use and distribution of materials, issues regarding privacy, slander, copyright etc.

A Discussion

One of the most major issues in multimedia use is the privacy of an individual in the current day and age where miniature microphones and cameras are becoming more common (Dittmann, Katzenbeisser, Uhl 266). Indeed, a look at this issue from either side (ethical and legal) shows significant variation of arguments. Though the constitution is largely silent on what constitutes an invasion of privacy, we have in the past seen courts pass rulings to the effect that the privacy of individuals should be respected. Hence in that regard, the release of information deemed to be private to the public in regard to a specific individual can attract legal sanctions. The ethical question that remains unanswered here is; what if withholding such information will be injurious to the public? For instance, while it may be illegal (in some instances) to release private (probably recorded) information regarding an evangelist who is having multiple sexual affairs, releasing such information may be the right thing to do after all; from an ethical but not a legal point-of-view.

However, when it comes to intrusion, ethical as well as legal considerations seem to be in the same wavelength. It is important to note herein that intrusion is a form of privacy invasion. For instance, it is neither legal nor ethical to broadcast images from a private residence without the explicit permission of the owner (s). From the legal perspective, this can be taken to be a privacy invasion while from an ethical point-of-view; this is disregard for the dignity of private individuals. This is also the case when it comes to recording conversations through the use of a tape recorder or any other recording device which is unacceptable from both a moral and legal perspective. The bottom-line here is; permission is of the essence.

Next, another issue that relates to multimedia and that can be assessed from both the ethical as well as the legal perspective is commercial appropriation. Put simply, commercial appropriation refers to "cashing in" on the prominence of an organization or individual. It is important to note that over time, rulings made by courts show that people who are well-known end up acquiring a valued identity and hence there is need to protect such individuals from someone inclined to "cash in" on their prominence. For instance, let us think of an individual filming a commercial where by chance, he or she gets to spot an individual who is well-known in the society. In such a circumstance, if the said commercial makes it to the airwaves and tends to focus excessively on such an individual in a way that appears tailored to seemingly endorse the product being advertised; that can be taken to be commercial misappropriation. It is important to note that this is yet another point that brings about a common view in regard to ethical and legal issues surrounding multimedia. For instance in the scenario I recount above, an individual who is made to look as if he or she is endorsing a given product could sue for damages. From the ethical perspective, commercial appropriation is unacceptable as it amounts to the very misuse of an individual's image which may end up being detrimental to not only his or her repute but also that of his or her family.