Lee C. Wilkins

Papers

Total Citations

165

H-Index

About

Lee C. Wilkins is a foundational figure in media ethics, whose work has shaped how scholars and practitioners think about moral decision-making in journalism. Her primary research areas include ethical theory applied to media practice, the role of truth and transparency in news, and the pedagogy of ethical reasoning. Wilkins’s most significant contribution is the landmark textbook *Media Ethics: Issues and Cases* (1991), which has garnered over 165 citations and remains a staple in journalism curricula worldwide. The book’s innovative structure—pairing ethical frameworks with real-world case studies—democratized the study of media ethics, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to students and professionals. Notably, her chapter on “News and the Transparency Standard” advanced the argument that transparency, not just objectivity, is a cornerstone of journalistic integrity. Wilkins’s work has had a lasting impact on how newsrooms approach ethical dilemmas, and her case-study method has been widely adopted in ethics education. For students and researchers, she represents a bridge between abstract moral philosophy and the practical, high-stakes decisions journalists face daily.