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UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, ACCRA

COMMUNICATION STUDIES
BGEC 101: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
WEEK 3: Ethics in Communication

Lecture Outline

  • Objectives
  • Introduction: Communication Ethics
  • Definition of Ethics
  • Principles of Ethical Communication
  • Ethical Ways of Communication
  • Ethical Ways in Using Communication Materials

Objectives

By the end of this chapter, the student should be able to:

  • Understand the importance of ethics in communication.
  • Differentiate between what is ethical and what is not ethical.
  • Achieve ethical competence in communication.

Introduction: Communication Ethics

  • Ethics: A form of value, a norm, and behaviour of employees and leaders to create an atmosphere of fair and healthy relations both with colleagues and consumers. (Suhairi et al. 2023, 205)
  • Soft Skills: Important for professionals; they complement hard skills and play a crucial role in shaping personality. Examples include:
    • Critical thinking
    • Persuasive power or negotiation skills
    • Emotional intelligence
    • Communication skills
Acknowledge Communications
  • Provide follow-up on previous communications.
  • Be respectful in all communications.
  • Inform others of new information that is generally not known.
Ethical Communication Considerations
  • Use appropriate media for communication.
  • Utilize proper channels for dissemination.
  • Ensure correct titles are used.
  • Be mindful about copying individuals on communications; consider who should receive information.

Definition

  • Ethics: Refers to the moral principles and values that govern our behaviour.
  • Communication Ethics: A set of norms and values governing communication within a business environment.
  • Pearson et al. (2017, 19): Ethics is a set of moral principles or values that may vary across disciplines and cultures.
  • Fergusson (2009, 36): "Ethics deals with right and wrong"; it is characterized by unwritten rules governing interactions with others.
  • Origin of Ethics: The term comes from the Greek word "ethos," meaning "character."

Principles of Ethical Communication

  1. Respect: Value diversity; Honor autonomy; Avoid harm.
  2. Honesty: Truthfulness; Transparency; Sincerity.
  3. Fairness: Impartiality; Equity; Consistency.
  4. Responsibility: Accountability; Reliability; Answerability.
  5. Empathy: Active listening; Compassion; Perspective-taking.
  6. Clarity: Clear expression; Avoid ambiguity; Precision.
  7. Feedback: Open-mindedness; Constructive criticism; Adaptability.
  8. Confidentiality: Discretion; Privacy; Secrecy.

Ethical Ways of Communication

  1. Maintain Candour: Foster truthfulness, honesty, and frankness in communications.
  2. Keep Message Accurate: Relay information as accurately as possible from the original source.
  3. Avoid Deception: Ethical communicators should avoid any fabrication, distortion, or withholding of information.
  4. Behave Consistently: Align behaviour with what is communicated; avoid hypocrisy.

Ethical Ways of Communication II

  1. Keep Confidentiality: Respect trust when someone shares information with the expectation of confidentiality.
  2. Ensure Timeliness of Communication: Avoid delays that prevent others from fully benefitting from the information.
  3. Confront Unethical Behaviour: Actively address unethical behaviour when observed.
  4. Cultivate Empathic Listening: Provide sensitive and understanding listening to help address unethical conduct.

Ethical Ways in Using Communication Materials

According to Suhairi et al. (2023, 206), ethical considerations include:

  • Respecting the time and busyness of others.
  • Avoiding offensive or inappropriate language.
  • Maintaining confidentiality of information.
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest.
  • Avoiding discriminatory behaviour.
  • Upholding ethics in the use of social media.
Ethical Usage of Communication Tools
  1. E-mail Etiquette: Use a proper name in the address; avoid "Reply All" unless necessary; be respectful with language.
  2. Virtual Meetings (Zoom/Skype/MS Teams/Google Meet): Mute microphone when not speaking; manage video visibility based on requirements; consider background appearance.
  3. Texting (SMS, WhatsApp): Avoid shorthand in professional communications.

Activities

  • Class Discussion: Write five bumper sticker slogans you wouldn’t mind sticking on your car - Duration: 15 minutes.
  • Group Assignment / Presentation: Address a hypothetical scenario where a corporation is secretly dumping toxic materials into a river. Consider:
    • Will you take action, and if so, what will it be?
    • What values and ethics influence your decision?

Further Reading

  • Barasa, D. & Mudogo, B. (2019). Communication Skills: A Handbook for Students. Utafiti Foundation.
  • Hargie, O. (2006). The Handbook of Communication Skills. Routledge.
  • Hartley, P., and Chatterton, P. (2015). Business Communication. Routledge.
  • O’Hair, Friedrich, G.W., Dixon, L.D. (2016). Strategic Communication in Business and Professions. Pearson.
  • Pearson, J.C., Nelson, P.E., Titsworth, S., & Hosek, A.M. (Eds.) (2017). Human Communication. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Suhairi, Farach, N.F., Mutiara, K, Arjuna, P. (2023). Business Communication Ethics. International Journal of Economic Research and Financial Accounting, Vol. 1(4), pp. 202-213.
  • Taylor, S. (2005). Communication for Business: A Practical Approach. Pearson Longman.
  • Williams, E. (2026c). Ethics in Communication. In M. Sadat (Ed.), Core Topics in Communication Skills, pp. 46-66. NAB Publishing.

THANK YOU!