When CNN published the article “Ebola in the Air? A Nightmare That Could Happen”, it sparked fear during a tense public health crisis. The headline suggested that Ebola might become airborne which is a terrifying idea with serious consequences. The ethical dilemma is whether the media should prioritize audience engagement over responsible reporting. Through the ethical frameworks of utilitarianism, ethical rationalism, and virtue ethics, we can evaluate whether sensationalist headlines such as CNN’s are ethical. When looking at the amount of harm they cause, the way they manipulate reason…