Case Study Assignment 1
Case Study Assignment 1
May 19, 2013
Professor Nel
Phil 340-40 Ethics in the Professions
Case Study Assignment 1
The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart is usually informative, comical, and humorous. The late night satirical program is seemingly at the direction of Stewart, making his job one to be envied. The Daily Show draws its satire and comedy from a host of sources including politics, media, news stories, and often draws comedy from aspects of the show itself. Stewart has been the host of the show since 1999 and has had the opportunity to meet numerous famous actors, musicians, political figures, and even the occasional fellow talk show host. The show usually opens with a long monologue from Stewart highlighting recent headlines. The second segment of the show typically showcases Stewart and his correspondents adopting a headline and taking exaggerated stances on opposite sides of the issue to better display an opinion, point, or fact. The last segment of Stewart’s show is devoted to celebrity interviews in which he usually makes the crowd, televised audience, and his own celebrity guest weep in laughter. Only on select occasions is Stewart clear, precise, and non-satirical. One such occasion took place during the housing market collapse in 2009. Stewart hosted Jim Cramer from CNBC’s Mad Money to comment on a few remarks a fellow correspondent at CNBC had made recently with respect to the housing market. During this celebrity interview Stewart highlights an ethical issue, questions Jim Cramer’s ethical responsibilities, and even shows anger toward Cramer for how he handled the situation. In order to fully comprehend the ethical situation that unfolded in 2009 with respect to the housing market collapse and the banking collapse, one must first understand the actions taken by each party prior to 2009. Bankers backed by investors, started lending mountains of excess capital. This lowered interest rates (with the help of the Fed) to an all-time low. Interest
May 19, 2013
Professor Nel
Phil 340-40 Ethics in the Professions
Case Study Assignment 1
The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart is usually informative, comical, and humorous. The late night satirical program is seemingly at the direction of Stewart, making his job one to be envied. The Daily Show draws its satire and comedy from a host of sources including politics, media, news stories, and often draws comedy from aspects of the show itself. Stewart has been the host of the show since 1999 and has had the opportunity to meet numerous famous actors, musicians, political figures, and even the occasional fellow talk show host. The show usually opens with a long monologue from Stewart highlighting recent headlines. The second segment of the show typically showcases Stewart and his correspondents adopting a headline and taking exaggerated stances on opposite sides of the issue to better display an opinion, point, or fact. The last segment of Stewart’s show is devoted to celebrity interviews in which he usually makes the crowd, televised audience, and his own celebrity guest weep in laughter. Only on select occasions is Stewart clear, precise, and non-satirical. One such occasion took place during the housing market collapse in 2009. Stewart hosted Jim Cramer from CNBC’s Mad Money to comment on a few remarks a fellow correspondent at CNBC had made recently with respect to the housing market. During this celebrity interview Stewart highlights an ethical issue, questions Jim Cramer’s ethical responsibilities, and even shows anger toward Cramer for how he handled the situation. In order to fully comprehend the ethical situation that unfolded in 2009 with respect to the housing market collapse and the banking collapse, one must first understand the actions taken by each party prior to 2009. Bankers backed by investors, started lending mountains of excess capital. This lowered interest rates (with the help of the Fed) to an all-time low. Interest