Final answer:
The media's ethical responsibility entails comprehensive reporting, balanced watchfulness, and non-sensationalism, with debates about showing partiality in certain conditions. The 'gentleman's agreement' showcases historical media restraint, while reporting on financial indices like the home price index and consumer confidence index significantly impacts market perceptions and economic activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether the press has a responsibility to report all that they see, the acceptability of partiality in reporting, the balance between journalistic watchfulness and sensationalism, and the embargo of exit poll results before the close of polls are all complex issues revolving around media ethics and journalistic practices.
Journalist Christiane Amanpour believes that the press has a responsibility to report all that they see, stemming from the core journalistic principle of providing comprehensive information to the public, facilitating informed decisions and maintaining a check on power. Situations requiring partiality are debated; objectivity is a foundational ethic, but some argue that certain issues may demand a stance, such as when fundamental human rights are at stake. Nevertheless, the line between being a watchdog and verging into paparazzi is fine, with the media's role to scrutinize government actions without becoming sensationalist for mere entertainment or shock value.
The historical anecdote concerning the 'gentleman's agreement' of 1985 between major networks and Congress illustrates the media's self-imposed restraint to prevent influencing voter behavior with early exit poll releases. Such ethical concerns continue to evolve with the advent of online and cable media.
When it comes to financial reporting, press releases regarding the home price index and consumer confidence index are critical to economic stakeholders. Negative reports could lead to decreased investor confidence and a potential downturn in market conditions, while positive reports might bolster market sentiment and drive economic growth.