In the United States, freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Freedom of speech, however, is not exempt from consequences. It is unethical and criminal, to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theatre if there is no fire. On a personal level, making a verbal threat can result in criminal charges. Posting a rant against a boss on social media might get someone fired.
The National Communication Association (NCA) defines ethical communication as the following: “Enhances human worth and dignity by fostering truthfulness, fairness, responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for self and others.”
This week’s resources discuss ethical communication in journalism, advertising, law, and speech pathology. Regardless of profession, ethical communication is important and will help protect your, or a company’s reputation.
In this Discussion, you examine the NCA Credo’s principles focusing on why they are important in a professional environment.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
By Day 3
Post a two-paragraph response to the following:
- Identify two of the NCA Credo’s principles and explain why they are important in your previous or current professional environment or one you aspire to join.
- Provide an example of how the principles you selected should be followed in your previous or current workplace or one you aspire to join.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2020). Issues in ethics: Ethical use of social mediaLinks to an external site.. https://www.asha.org/Practice/ethics/Ethical-Use-o...
- Mine, A. N. (2006, March). Misleading communications: The bad, the ugly, and the ???Links to an external site. North Carolina State Bar. https://www.ncbar.gov/for-lawyers/ethics/ethics-articles/misleading-communications-the-bad-the-ugly-and-the-
- Brown, D. K. (2020, May 29). Riot or resistance? How media frames unrest in Minneapolis will shape public’s view of protestLinks to an external site.. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/riot-or-resistance-how...
- Ianzito, C. (2017, April 11). Family caregiving basics: Don’t call me ‘sweetie’! Discouraging caregivers from using elderspeakLinks to an external site.. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2017/d...
- National Communication Association. (2017). Credo for ethical communicationLinks to an external site.. https://www.natcom.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/...
- Oregon Health & Science Agency. (n.d.). Inclusive language guideLinks to an external site.. https://www.ohsu.edu/inclusive-language-guide
- Simpson, J. (2022, January 5). Elderspeak- Is it helpful or just baby talk?Links to an external site. KU Lifespan Institute https://merrill.ku.edu/news/article/2022/01/05/eld...
- Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. (n.d.). People first languageLinks to an external site.. https://gcdd.org/news-a-media/people-first-languag...
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion. (n.d.). Person-first and identity-first languageLinks to an external site.. https://askearn.org/page/people-first-language