Ethics in Communication - Essay Example

Running Head: Ethics in Communication Ethics in Communication of the of the ETHICS IN COMMUNICATION Ethics can be defined as principles and rules that differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate conduct of an individual. (Robbins, Bergman, Stagg and Coulter, 2003) Ethics are considered as individual’s moral code, which distinguishes humans from other creatures in the world. Organizations that develop structures that foster ethical communication and institutionalize ethical practices can go a long way towards reducing the temptation for employees to misbehave (Grant, 2006). An organization can enforce a code of ethics by punishing those who break it. This can discourage individuals to communicate unethically. A result will be a more consistent communication in the organization that will give fewer problems. Media of social communication is generally said to develop good or evil communication in people. We might blame media for unethical communication in the society but one should understand that media is not a blind force of nature which is out of human control. But people have to choose if they want to adopt bright side of it or darker. Professional communicators should promote development and enforcement of ethical codes of communication for their profession, public representatives should provide them full support in doing that. Religious bodies and other cultural groups should also be a part of this effort. Communication ethics are known to be cultural specific. What is considered ethical communication in one culture may be considered unethical in another (Chiu, 2003). Because of globalization, individuals from different parts of the world may come together to work in an organization. Values, communication and culture help determine individual behavior. Thus, there are very different interpretations of what sort of communication is ethical or unethical in a given situation. Each individual have their own communication skills and the perception of what is right and ‘wrong’ way of communication may be different Our approach towards means of communication has to be fundamentally positive and encouraging. We should not just simply stand in judgment and start condemning; rather, we should support those professionals who are involved in communication and set out positive principles in their work. Schools and colleges can provide ethical communication education and that will help students to understand how to identify and deal with communication issues (Kreitner and Kinichi, 2001). Teachers can be sent to seminars, workshops and video training sessions to learn about ethical communication issues so that they can educate students. Specific units or positions in an organization can also be created to observe and control a companys employees as to uphold ethical standards (Kreitner, et al., 2001). These units can help enforce ethical codes and ensure that a one-time announcement of a new ethical code does not get filed away and forgotten. Unethical communication in organizations can be reduced by proper employee selection during interviews and job positions. Selection may bring greater benefits by helping managers decide which employees have attributes that will encourage ethical communication in the organization (Wilk and Cappelli, 2003). An employee that has gone through interviews and tests and has been assessed by higher authority will be less likely to communicate unethically in an organization. To talk about communication means to talk about action. It is a type of action which does not involve a single or necessary connection between the behavior and its attached meaning, making creative change possible. However, this change is not easy because, although the connections are arbitrary, they are accompanied by a powerful communal pressure. If one wants to relate to others and maintain membership within a particular community, one must know and use these arbitrary connections in ways similar to others around them. Without an understanding of both the arbitrary and conventional nature of the symbols which form our communication with one another, one may easily view the system of symbols with which we deal too lightly or as too fixed. Understanding the nature of communication, then, becomes a vital part of understanding any human action or interaction. Computer ethics can be grounded in one of four basic world-views: Deontologism, Relativism, Consequentialism or Teleology, or Categorical or Imperitavism. Deontology is the study of rights and duties (or responsibilities). It establishes what are the fundamental rights of humans and the responsibilities that attend those rights. Ethical relativism claims that there are no universal moral norms and consequently there is no universal right or wrong. Relativists rely on three fundamental concepts. Consequentialism bases assessment of "rightness" or "wrongness" of an action or communication on the consequences of the action. A categorical imperative is absolute universal moral obligation. The principle of universality suggests that we should follow rules of behavior and communication that could be universally applied to everyone. Question for something being right or wrong originates when people communicate. Ethical communication is considered to be primary source of responsible thinking, correct decision making, and in the development of communities and relationships within and across cultures, context and media. Ethical communication increases human worth and individual’s dignity by nurturing fairness, truthfulness, responsibility, individual’s integrity, and respect for themselves and others. General believe is, unethical communication threatens the quality of communication and eventually effect the well-being of individuals and the society where we live. On other hand ethical communication advocates truthfulness, honesty, accuracy and reason which are essential for the integrity of individual’s communication. Ethical communication supports diversity of perspective, freedom of speech and tolerance of dispute in order to achieve the informed and responsible decision making which is elementary to a society. Ethical communication provides a chance to understand and respect other communicators before responding and evaluating others. It denotes well-being of communities, society and families and promotes climate of mutual understanding, caring and shows respect for other individuals in the society. Communication that degrades humanity and individuals through intimidation, distortion and violence and through expression of hatred and intolerance should be condemned. Ethical communication provides a courageous expression to personal convictions in sense of justice and fairness and gives respect to confidentiality and privacy of others in the society. One has to accept responsibility for their long and short term consequences for communication and expect the same from others. A nation that enforces ethical communication and cultural values will result in citizens being united and committed (Watson, Papamacros, Teague and Bean, 2004). And the citizens with sense of unity and direction lives in harmony. A country may also have a code of ethics that is a formal statement of the citizens primary values and ethical rules it expects citizens to follow (Robbins, 2003). A code of ethics can help establish an orderly environment in which people can feel safe living. Studies suggest that, an individual that feels secure in an environment can move on to being more focused on their goal and progress. The verbal-harassment or unethical communication severity varies from incident to incident, that ranges from disturbing/ annoying to more severe such as occurrence of death threats. Studies suggest that, victims report experience of several kinds of verbal harassment on internet. (Ladd & Ladd, 2001) Researches suggests that more than one quarter of teenager female Internet users say that they have felt being frightened or been upset about different things said to them during various chatting sessions (Ipsos-Reid, 2001). These unethical communicators engage in harmful and cruel practices that embarrass, hurt and demean fellow students and they don’t have fear of facing the results for their actions. This kind of unethical communication may result in helplessness and depression in an individual; some of the effecties report being bullied for over years. Not only these but, researches have also identified different psychosocial experiences of victims of unethical communication. They usually, tend to cry easily, lack social competence and are unable to defend themselves from any verbal, physical or social attack (Schwartz, Dodge, & Coie, 1993). According to researches, victims most likely experience low self-esteem, anxiety and loneliness. In addition to above described internal behaviors, victims also exhibit externalizing problems such as hyperactivity and impulsivity. (Camodeca, Goossens, Schuengel, & Terwogt, 2003). Victims of verbal harrasment report distress and discomfort; also can cause anger, feeling of sadness, and fear in the victim that may impair their ability to concentrate on a given task and to progress in the society. Educators, administrators, parents, and students working together must find ways to combat against unethical communication that can be wonderful tools for education, information, and learning. First, acceptable use policies (AUPs) should be researched, designed, developed, and implemented at all levels in schools worldwide. Students can give a new start to ethical communication by not responding to bully, either online or in person, also one should avoid discussing personal family matters in the school, over the internet or in organizations and individuals especially students should be told to avoid online on physical fights with others. There should be no tolerance for the use of unethical language or behavior in schools. Also students should be told to stay cool if someone misbehaves or use unethical language, this is the most powerful tool against unethical communicator. Unethical communication in organizations can be reduced by proper employee selection during interviews and job positions. Selection may bring greater benefits by helping managers decide which employees have attributes that will encourage ethical communication and behavior in the organization (Wilk and Cappelli, 2003). An employee that has gone through interviews and tests and has been assessed by higher authority will be less likely to commit unethical acts and use unethical language in an organization. References Camodeca, M., Goossens, F. A., Schuengel, C., & Terwogt, M. M. (2003). Links between social information processing in middle childhood and involvement in bullying. Aggressive Behavior, 29, 116-127. Grant, F. (2006), "Ethical Examples Speak Louder Than Words", CMA, Vol. 67. Iss.5, p.2. Ipsos-Reid. (2001). Women as consumers. Retrieved May 15 from http://www.ipsos-reid.comJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 41(4), 441-455. Kreitner, R. and Kinichi, A. (2001), Organizational Behavior, 5th Edition, Irwin McGraw-Hill, USA. p.13. R.K. (2003), "Ethical Judgment and Whistle-blowing Intention: Examining The Role of Locus of Control", Journal of Business Ethics, Vol.43, Iss.1/2, p.65. Robbins, S.P., Bergman, R., Stagg, I. and Coulter, M. (2003), Management, 3rd Edition, Pearson Education Australia, China. p. 50 Schwartz, D., Dodge, KA, & Coie, JD (1993). The emergence of chronic peer victimization in boys play groups. Child Development, 64(6), 1755-1772. Watson, G.W., Papamacros, S.D., Teague, B.T. and Bean, C. (2004), "Exploring The Dynamics of Business Values: A Self-affirmation Perspective", Journal of Business Ethics, Vol.49, Iss.4, p.337. Wilk, S.L. and Cappelli, P. (2003), "Understanding the Determinants of Employer Use of Selection Methods", Personnel Psychology, Vol.56, Iss.1, pp.103-124. Read More