Code of Conduct
In industries, professionals create ethical guidelines to outline what ethical behavior means in a specific profession. These guidelines are called the Code of Conduct. Communications scholar Professor Nolan Sundrud, University of Denver, stresses their importance in his graduate communication course, stating that the goal is to create an ethical environment that goes beyond following laws and to provide guidance for ethical dilemmas. (Nolan, 2014) Associations such as the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), declare a commitment to ethical practices. IABC states to "engage in communication that is not only legal but ethical and sensitive to cultural values and beliefs" and communication should be "truthful, accurate and fair...that facilitates respect and mutual understanding." PRSA wants members to take a "special obligation to operate ethically" since they "serve the public good."
Ethical Principles for Communication
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Part of behaving ethically is respecting others freedom (autonomy), communicating for good (beneficence), not causing harm (maleficence), acting fair (judicial), and being true to your word (fidelity) These ethical principles are useful in all of your actions, including communication.
Also, there is the concept of the well lit room. Would you behave the same way if you were in a well lit room and everyone could see you? Would it be fine to see what you wrote on yhe the internet? Industry expert, Professor Nolan Sundrud from University of Denver, says that communicators have an obligation to follow certain ethical principles in order to be ethical communicators. (Nolan, 2014)
Four Ethical Principles for Communicators:
1. Accuracy -Inaccurate information harms your reputation, causes confusion, and damages trust. Verify your sources.
2. Completeness - Review work and cover all of the essentials. Do not let the desire to be first overtake being complete.
3. Speed in disseminating important information - Today there are no excuses for late delivery of information.
4. Storage and archiving communication - Technology provides large storage capacity. Archiving communication allows you to refer or share communications later, provide assistance for legal issues, and creates a work history.
Also, there is the concept of the well lit room. Would you behave the same way if you were in a well lit room and everyone could see you? Would it be fine to see what you wrote on yhe the internet? Industry expert, Professor Nolan Sundrud from University of Denver, says that communicators have an obligation to follow certain ethical principles in order to be ethical communicators. (Nolan, 2014)
Four Ethical Principles for Communicators:
1. Accuracy -Inaccurate information harms your reputation, causes confusion, and damages trust. Verify your sources.
2. Completeness - Review work and cover all of the essentials. Do not let the desire to be first overtake being complete.
3. Speed in disseminating important information - Today there are no excuses for late delivery of information.
4. Storage and archiving communication - Technology provides large storage capacity. Archiving communication allows you to refer or share communications later, provide assistance for legal issues, and creates a work history.
Citations:
- Sundrud,Nolan."Communication Ethics," accessed October 2014, (video lecture). University College, University of Denver.
- IABC website, accessed September 2014, http://www.iabc.com/about/code.htm.
- PRSA website, accessed September 2014,http://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Ethics/#.VDc4GRY6_Qx.
