Ethical dilemmas to be resolved require evaluations and judgement about:
(i) What is right or wrong?
(ii) What is fair or unfair?
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(iii) What is harmful or harmless?
Thus one needs critical thinking skill, empathy, social skill etc for ethical communication for this there are 2 basic guidelines
1. Legal considerations
2. Moral Considerations
Image Source: mycounsellingservice.com.au
1. Legal Consideration:
One has to obey law. Doing things against the law is illegal and hence Unethical
2. Moral Consideration:
Moral principles are helpful as one has to rely on one’s own judgment, everything depends on ones intent. A piece of information however true will be unethical if the intent is dishonest some guidelines in this regard are
(i) Maintaining Candour:
(a) Candour refers to ones truthfulness, honesty and frankness while communicating with others
(b) One should maintain the candour but keep in mind not to disclose everything while communicating certain amount of secrecy should be maintained.
(ii) Keeping messages accurate:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(a) Ethical communicators do not distort the message
(b) Accurate Messages should be communicated without any addition or deletion of text.
(iii) Avoiding Deception:
(a) Message should not deceive others
(b) Ethical communicators avoid deception, fabrication and withholding information.
(iv) Behaving Consistently:
(a) One should practice what one preaches i.e. abide by his words.
(b) Ethical communicators ensure that their action matches their words.
(v) Maintain trust:
(a) Ethical communicators talk only when required
(b) They maintain the trust by not passing on the information to others.
(vi) Ensure timeliness of communication:
(a) Timing plays a crucial role in determining whether an act is ethical or unethical.
(b) Unnecessary delay is communication or before time delivery of information may prove to be unethical.
(vii) Intolerance for unethical behaviour:
(a) Ethical communicators do not tolerate unethical behaviour
(b) They make it clear to others that their tolerance for unethical behaviour is low.