An Analytical Study of Ethical Dilemmas in Journalism: Negotiating Truth, Privacy, and the Public Interest in the Digital Era

In the rapidly evolving digital media landscape, journalists are increasingly confronted with complex moral dilemmas that challenge traditional ethical boundaries. This study explores how journalists in Sri Lanka navigate competing demands related to truth-telling, privacy, and public interest. Using a qualitative methodology, the research draws on semi-structured interviews with professional journalists and a review of institutional documents and ethical codes. The findings reveal a persistent tension between the need for accuracy and the pressure for immediacy in digital reporting, compounded by ambiguous editorial guidelines and weak enforcement of ethical standards. Journalists often rely on personal judgment to resolve dilemmas, especially in situations where professional ethics and newsroom expectations conflict. The study also highlights the influence of digital platforms and audience-driven algorithms in shaping editorial decisions, often at the expense of ethical considerations. Based on these insights, the research recommends stronger ethics training, institutional support, and public engagement to reinforce responsible journalism in the digital age. This study contributes to the growing discourse on applied media ethics by situating journalistic decision-making within the sociocultural and technological realities of contemporary Sri Lanka.