"Ethics is nothing else than reverence for life."

Ethics are applied to every field you will ever study in, and they are particularly important in Journalism due to the touchy subject matter that we tend to cover.

There are three paradigms that allow us to understand ethics. They are:

1. Downtology - rules and principles based
2. Consequentialism - Doesn't matter what the process is so long as the consequences are right. 
3. Virtue ethics - good habits of character. 

So lets look at these a bit clearer individually. 

Downtology

Downtology is based on a code of ethics and rules. It is the journalism code (and no, they're not more like guidelines really.) 

It includes attributes such as honesty, fairness and balanced reports. However, it doesn't state that it needs to be objective. 

Consequentialism

Consequentialism focuses on only needing to have the right outcome. 'The end justifies the means'. This, however, can lead to much controversy due to whatever method being best for the outcome is therefore justified. 

Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics focus on goodness being equivalent to a sense of happiness. 

The virtues are courage, justice, temperance and patience - all from experience. 

Ethics allow us to use a code of conduct as we work, so we know our limits.