Ethics of Reality TV

Kristie Bunton is professor and chair of the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of St. Thomas. Her scholarship has been published in such journals as Public Integrity, Journal of Mass Media Ethics, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journalism Educator and American Journalism. Wendy N. Wyatt is an associate professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of St. Thomas. Her research interests include communication ethics, press criticism and media literacy. She is the author of Critical Conversations: A Theory of Press Criticism (Hampton, 2007).

When 'reality tv' covers most of the social domain, it seems strange that we do not have more debates about the ethics of how it does this. Even stranger, when we consider the frequent conflicts between production goals and the needs of those who appear in reality shows. This lively book brings together both critical and more sympathetic assessments in a series of accessibly written essays that open up this important topic to students and general readers alike. --Nick Couldry, Professor of Media and Communications, Goldsmiths, University of London, and author of Listening Beyond the Echoes: Media, Ethics and Agency in an Uncertain World (Paradigm Books, 2006)

• Foreword: "Serious Questions about a Not-So-Serious Genre". Part I: "The Harms of Reality TV," Wendy Wyatt and Kristie Bunton". Chapter 1: "Deception: I think my favorite reality show is lying to me". Chapter 2: "Privacy breeches: Maybe I should look away". Chapter 3: "Stereotyping: Here come the ditsy pretty girl and the troubled gay guy". Chapter 4: "Exploitation: Use them, abuse them and drop them". Chapter 5: "Excessive commercialization: What can we sell you this week?". Part II: "The Benefits of Reality TV," Wendy Wyatt and Kristie Bunton. Chapter 6: "Community building: Welcome to the neighborhood". Chapter 7: "Inspiration & motivation: If that reality star can do it, so can I". Chapter 8: "Diversification & Democratization: Even regular people can be reality stars". Conclusion: "Is reality TV good for society?" Wendy Wyatt and Kristie Bunton.