Obligations

							Solving the Ethics Problem




      Lannon Chapter 5
       Dr. Jennifer L. Bowie
          What is ethical
         communication?
Ethical communication:
• Is “measured by standards of honesty,
  fairness, and concern for everyone
  involved “ (61)
• Does not leave readers at a
  disadvantage or prevent them from
  making their best decisions
 How do you solve the ethics
         problem?
• Recognize unethical communication
• Understand the potential for communication
  abuse: suppress, exaggerate, falsify, fabricate,
  steal, divulge, &/or withhold information;
  misusing e-info, and exploiting cultural
  differences
• Never depend only on legal guidelines :
  consider the law the “minimally acceptable
  behavior”
• Decide where to draw the line
 How do you solve the ethics
         problem?
Know the major causes of unethical
  communication:
• Yielding to social pressure
• Mistaking groupthink for teamwork
• Allowing personal bias to influence
  judgment
What are the reasonable criteria
    for ethical judgments?
 • Obligations: to our selves, clients,
   customers, company, coworkers,
   community, and society
 • Ideals: values we believe in and stand
   for includes morals, qualities that make
   us who we are
 • Consequences: results (beneficial or
   harmful) of our action
The End and Good luck!