Journalistic reception of the concept of plagiarism in the aspect of ethical principles and formation of public opinion

Abstract

The article is devoted to studying the term etymology, juridical interpretation of the «plagiarism» concept, dictionary definitions of this concept – from the «plagiarism» concept reception perspective in journalistic materials. At the present moment problem of plagiarism, its prevention and combating as well as formation of public opinion about this phenomenon, in particular its display in academic environment appeared very sharp. The response in the society, caused by numerous publications on this issue in the media, has gained critical mass – at the same time given information is more likely to raise a problem than to allow the audience to understand, realize, and reach their own reasonable conclusions. Plagiarism thematics is addressed by many scholars in various fields, as well as by journalists and bloggers, but their interpretations do not give explicit answers to the understanding of the limits and parameters of the concept – and therefore do not contribute to the formation of an objective attitude to the phenomenon and the situation around it among the audience. Taking into consideration the journalistic content devoted to plagiarism, and in particular the linguistic and stylistic features of media texts, which purpose is mostly to actualize the problem, to draw public attention by maximally simplifying the concept and its interpretation, the etymology of the term «plagiarism», judicial regulation regarding this phenomenon in Ukraine, divergent vocabulary articles – by the method of comparative analysis and distinguishing of the key dominant words that most often characterize this concept – were analyzed. This makes it possible to detect the absence or presence of a legally and ethically correct algorithm for plagiarism identification, distinguishing this phenomenon from related phenomena and categories, and, consequently, the algorithm for preventing and combating plagiarism (in particular as a kind of violation of academic norms). The phenomenon of plagiarism has repeatedly been the subject of scientific research in various fields and the subject of mediatized discussions, which, in turn, not only led to a constructive search for solving the problem, but also had the opposite effect, in particular the destructive one associated with the simplification of the problem, identification of different (in terms of law and morals) concepts and phenomena, formation and spreading of dangerous stereotypes and distortions of public opinion.