Perspectives and Communication in an Organization (Movie Review Sample)

Insider 1999 Film-Ethics and Responsibilities
Student’s Name
Institution affiliation
Professor
Date
Ethics and Responsibilities
Ethics and responsibilities in mass communication include honesty, integrity, respecting and advocating for free speech, respecting everyone despite their cultural differences, and obeying every law. The primary objective of the code of ethics in mass communication is to enhance interpretation and recognize values in the field. The 1999 insider film takes the audience on essential attributes of honesty and integrity versus self. The film entails the tobacco industry's expose; the producer Lowell Bergman endures a professional attack when Russel Crowell refuses to talk with him. However, after writing a confidentiality agreement, Russel decides to open up. The film reflects every media personality's ethics and responsibilities before they exorcise important information in the field.
The film is based on a true story, and it is used to illustrate unethical practices in the tobacco industry. What is the cost of overriding self to save the public? Despite the challenges everyone would face in daily life, they should have a defined code of ethics to help them carry crucial responsibilities.
Wigand's Ethical Dilemma
The ethical dilemma is typically a paradox between two probable options whereby none of them is ethically accepted. Wigand (Russel Crowell) finds himself in an ethical dilemma because his testimony in Mississippi violated the law, and that would put him to jail. On the other hand, he faces death threats from the tobacco industry; for example, Wigand finds a bullet in an email pushing him to drop the case. The tobacco industry plays an integral role in an economy, although it affects the health of people. The two options are viable, but they are not ethical (Van, 2003).
Moreover, ethically, everyone is supposed to obey all laws; however, Wigand is willing to override this aspect in Kentucky law courts. Wigand is estranged in two challenges that seek him to be ethically responsible. Furthermore, his testimony puts him in harm's way, which puts his marriage at risk. Despite the dilemma, Wigand chooses to stand with the truth; he records his testimony against the tobacco company. The state of Kentucky threatens to imprison him, which puts the Wigand family in jeopardy because he is the family's breadwinner. His thirst for truth is embedded in the future generation; thus, he is not worried about the immediate consequences after the testimony. Wigand's decisions are moral and reflect ethical responsibility. The consequences of his testimony towards a tobacco company hit him hard when he goes back to Louisville to find his wife and children gone. Either of the options would bear adverse consequences; for instance, if he did not testify, more money would be wasted on Medicaid to support mental and chronic ailments. In this case, not only the current generation would be affected but also the future generation.
Wigand's Loyalty
Loyalty entails the aspect of giving full allegiance to someone or something. Wigand's loyalty is to people the society as compared to his family. According to the Insider film (1999), Wingard gets all sorts of threats but yet goes ahead and testifies. He puts down the needs of his family, for instance, his ailing daughter and the needs of the entire family, for the sake of a large number of people. To some extent, his decisions seem to be stupid, especially when taken from the family's perspective. However, his loyalty is profound, and out of ethical actions, most people can have a glimpse of better lives after eliminating nicotine. Nicotine has many effects on human health; for example, it causes chronic diseases and addiction. Diseases make a country poor since all resources are channeled to hospitals and Medicaid programs to support the patients (Charan, 2017).
On the other hand, addiction sparks lifestyle problems such as theft and violence. These are some of the factors that pushed Wigand to extend his loyalty to society and forsake his family. His actions illustrate a true reflection on the importance of good ethics in society and at an individual level.
The Role of Corporations
The goals of corporates are not just to make profits and expansion but also to support society in social causes. For example, after Wigand's testimony, the film shifts attention to CBS company. In this scenario, the firm faces deep threats due to the testimony aired by Williamson and Brown. The role of a corporate firm is to protect consumers and society at large. Typically, corporates firms should engage in social activities that educate and change people's lives. However, the CBS company is about to conduct ethical misconduct to protect itself by editing the interview between Wigand and Williamson. The film reflects the filth embedded incorporates since most of them are not committed in support society on social causes. If it were the case, the company would have stood in truth and help eliminate or surge levels of nicotine. Corporates are built by employees, meaning they cannot flourish without expertise; therefore, it is their obligation to support and protect them (employees).
Coincidentally, CBS defies ethical agreements and mass communication laws and leaves its workers exposed. The tobacco company hires another firm to create a story that would destroy Wigand, Bergman, and Wallace's reputation. I believe the cost, to tell the truth, is always high, and very few people are ready to bear the consequences. Stakeholders play an integral role in shaping the future of corporates, and therefore, firms should always support their financiers (stakeholders) (Oels, 2002). In this case, corporates are supposed to pay dividends in time.
Leader's Responsibility in an Organization
The primary responsibility of a leader is to maintain integrity in an organization. Additionally, a transformed leader should lead and empower people to make choices. From the Insider film (1999), Williamson and Brown are employees, and therefore, their roles should be respected. After CBS realizes that it faces a multi-billion lawsuit, it pushes Williamson and Brown to edit the interview on Wigand. In this case, the leader does not have ethical conduct and does not respect employees' decisions. A responsible leader should build trust with employees. It would be absurd to imagine a company would grow and expand without employees (Simons, 2012).
Furthermore, a responsible leader should have confidence in the work of his or her employees. For instance, despite CBS authorizing Williamson to interview Wigand, the company's leadership has changed its perception. CBS leadership is not concerned about the well-being and protection of its employees, and therefore, Brown and Williamson are about to be tossed to ravaging flames of misconduct. The company violates ethics and responsibilities that govern leadership and the protection of workers. Brown and Williamson did not violate any agreement; rather, they aired the truth (Simons, 2012).
Bergman's Obligation to Wigand
Bergman's obligation to Wigand is to help him speak out the truth about tobacco companies. Bergman is connected, and thus he has few people who can help develop the story on the dangers of nicotine. From the film, Bergman played a vital role in exposing tobacco companies, and just like Wigand, he forsook his family for society.
CBS Ethical Obligations and Responsibilities
One of the ethical obligations that CBS could have observed is communication, especially with the on-coming Westinghouse sale. CBS's ethical misconduct is reflected in its process of pushing Brown and Williamson to edit an interview. The interview about tobacco companies presented by Wigand affected the company's market value. Therefore, Westinghouse Electric House would pose a lower value to the scandals developed by tobacco companies. However, CBS should have communicated with Westinghouse to form a partnership. The partnership would enable the company to counter the multi-billion lawsuits hence increasing confidence in the society. Communication is a crucial responsibility for every company since it allows for smooth business operations within and outside territories. Moreover, the company had the choice of global outsourcing, which would help it protect its employees, stakeholders, and society (Crane, Matten & Moon, 2008).
Leadership Analysis
In this case study, several leaders have violated the code of conduct in varied ways; for example, CBS's leadership