Downloading music is now as simple as a search and click. You search for the artist and song you want to download and then like magic, the music is yours to store in your iTunes library. But for those who don’t use sites like Itunes in which you pay for the music you download there is illegal websites in which you can download the music for free. The music industry has already taken a huge lose in profits due to these music downloading sites, because instead of buying the CD from a store they are downloading it. This was the people who created the Cd such as the singer, songwriter, and producer make no profit.
When it comes to ethics in the media the Hutchins Commission which was founded by Henry Luce reached two major conclusions, one that the press has a responsibility to give voice to the public and society. And next is that the free press was not living up to that responsibility the public needs because of its need to serve it commercial masters. Someone that is for illegal downloading might argue that by downloading the music, they are giving voice to those artists because some people cannot afford to purchase the music.
When it comes to ethics this means using a rational way of deciding what is good for individuals. So is illegally downloading music good for individuals? It certainly isn’t hurting the individual that is downloading the music but it is hurting the person producing the music. Songwriters and publishers do earn royalties’ on the radio play and other public performances and record sales but not off of illegal downloading. Since the audience loyalty is down this is making for more single album sales rather than the whole album.
Now days with satellite radio and Xm radio you can listen to the songs you want for free and legally but you cannot download them onto your iPod. It is the demand to own the song and download it illegally that is unethical. However what is the harm in letting people download music for free and legal. The harm is that the music industry would not make the money they want, so is it ethical for them to make it illegal to download music? With all the advertisement and talk on the radio, such as the advancements in the industry the music is already at everyone’s fingertips it just relies on the ethical decision of whether they will pay for the music or download illegally.