Communication Ethics
At the end of the lesson, we must have:
• Known how to communicate in an ethical manner
• Applied ethical principles to our communication process
GET-SET
It is important to understand that whatever we communicate should be guided by certain ethical
principles. "Ethical communication is fundamental to responsible thinking, decision-making, and the
development of relationships and communities within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media.
Moreover, ethical communication enhances human worth and dignity by fostering truthfulness, fairness,
responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for self and others" (NCA, 1999).
GET-THE-GIST
The US National Communication Association (NCA) has four ethical principles of communication:
(1) It “advocates truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity of
communication” (National Communication Association, 1999).
*Nowadays, social media and speeches in public have been so filled with black propaganda and
whitewashing that there is a call to reiterate the need for truth and honesty. It is important to be accurate
when we communicate, and to have facts and figures to prove our assertions. It is important to be
reasonable, rather than to be too emotional or threatening when we communicate.
(2) It endorses “freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, and tolerance of dissent to achieve the
informed and responsible decision-making fundamental to a civil society” (NCA,
1999).
*In certain political climates, people may feel threatened to the point that they no longer feel that it is
safe to express what they feel or think. This is not a good environment to live in. To have vibrant
democracy, we must be able to hear different perspectives and have a high tolerance for views that are
different from ours. It is important to Foster an environment where people feel safe enough to express
what they think and feel, and for these expressions to be met with reasonable dialogue and debate, rather
than outright censure or violence.
notes.e.r.delagente.uychuco.santos.deflls.cas. wvsu
(3) It “condemns communication that degrades individuals and humanity through distortion, intimidation,
coercion, and violence, and through the expression of intolerance and hatred” (1999).
*This condemnation is important because it safeguards society from racism, sexism, and violence against
oppressed peoples. History has shown us that a tolerance for hate speech, as well as speeches that incite
violence and the act of killing, have often instituted such violence in society, whether this is in the context
of slavery, colonialism, or misogyny.
(4) It believes that communicators should “accept responsibility for the short- and long-term
consequences of our own communication and expect the same of others” (1999).
*All too often, there have been people who do not feel accountable for their actions. Therefore, if one
risks to communicate maliciously, spread false news, or incite hatred or violence, he or she should be
ready to face the consequences of such actions. States are beginning to realize this, especially in the
porous medium of social media. [ Everytime we communicate, we should consider the consequences of
our actions. If people were more responsible in their use of communication, there would be less conflict
in this world. ]
GET-THIS-DONE
Why does unethical communication threaten the quality of all communication, and consequently the well-
being of individuals and the society in which we live? Cite one or two or even more concrete examples.
notes.e.r.delagente.uychuco.santos.deflls.cas. wvsu
