Ethical Challenges and Moral Conation Capacities  in Emerging Adults Moving into Media Industries

Abstract This study explores the development of moral identity and value systems among entry-level media workers during the formative period of emerging adulthood. Thematic analysis of extensive “life story” structured interviews with newly minted graduates of five journalism and communications programs in the United States (N = 108) focused on responses to specific interview queries regarding ethical challenges. Key themes of challenges involved autonomous agency, transparency/honesty, fairness/justice, ethical cues and modeling, and professional norms and expectations. The analysis suggests patterns in participants’ reliance on a mixture of past experiences, college lessons, and moral principles. These patterns also suggest participants reflected varying levels of moral self-efficacy.