Final answer:
When faced with an ethical dilemma, the news test to determine the morality of actions and decisions consists of asking yourself, "how would this decision look if it was aired on the news".
Step-by-step explanation:
When faced with an ethical dilemma, the 'News Test' is a helpful tool to determine the morality of actions and decisions. This test involves asking yourself, "How would this decision look if it was aired on the news?" If the possible exposure of your decision on a public platform like the news would lead to feelings of shame or embarrassment, then the decision fails to pass this test.
This method is a form of ethical reflection that focuses on the question of how our actions are viewed by a broader audience. It utilizes the concept of social accountability to decide the morally appropriate course of action.
For example, consider a situation where you have to decide whether to leak confidential information that could be harmful to others if disclosed. Using the 'News Test', if you would feel uncomfortable and guilty seeing this action reported on the news, it suggests that the action may be unethical, thereby failing the test. Applied ethics involves such reflections on the rightness of specified actions, seeking to apply ethical principles and norms to real-life scenarios.