Micro Issues

$1.$ How important is it that Cramer intends to entertain as well as

inform in terms of the way he presents financial news?

$2.$ Is the disclaimer that runs at the beginning of every show ethically

defensible? How would you defend it$?$

$3.$ How should a rational actor evaluate the claims of Cramer?

$4.$ How is Cramer$$s show like and unlike what a public relations

person for your local bank might do$?$ Are there ethical distinctions

between Cramer$$s approach and more traditional advertising or

public relations?

Midrange Issues

$1.$ What is the ethical role of CNBC in presenting a show such as

$$Mad Money$?$

$2.$ Compare Cramer$$s brand of financial news with Comedy Central$$s

Jon Stewart and his brand of mock news. Which is more ethically

justifiable? Why?

$3.$ Should a local newspaper$$s business or financial reporter treat

Cramer$$s recommendations as a news story?

$60$ Chapter $2$

$4.$ Do you think audiences are particularly vulnerable when it comes

to complex topics such as financial news? Does that vulnerability

result in any distinct ethical obligations?

Macro Issues

$1.$ Are there some subjects that are too serious to be made entertaining

in this way?

$2.$ Cramer is an avowed capitalist. Can he also be trusted to be an

objective critic of the capitalistic system$$particularly considering

the financial disasters of $2008?$ Is that his role?

$3.$ Evaluate the usefulness o