ABC Communication Ethics 2

Question 1

A PR practitioner discovers their client has been misrepresenting product safety data in press releases. What is the most ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Advise the client to correct the misrepresentation and refuse to distribute false information

Answer

Ethical communicators must refuse to disseminate false information and counsel clients toward truthful communication, even at risk to the relationship.

Question 2

Which principle best describes the ethical obligation to proactively share information that stakeholders would want to know, even when not asked?

Accepted Answer

Disclosure

Answer

Disclosure requires communicators to proactively share information relevant to stakeholders' decisions, not merely respond to direct inquiries.

Question 3

An organization asks its communications team to suppress internal survey results showing low employee morale. Ethically, the team should:

Accepted Answer

Recommend the organization address the issues and consider appropriate disclosure

Answer

Ethical communicators advise organizations to address underlying problems and weigh disclosure obligations rather than simply suppressing unfavorable findings.

Question 4

When a communicator uses selective quotation to make a source appear to endorse a position they actually oppose, this violates which ethical standard?

Accepted Answer

Accuracy and truthfulness

Answer

Selective quotation that misrepresents a source's actual position is a form of deception that violates the fundamental ethical standard of accuracy.

Question 5

A business communicator is offered a gift by a vendor seeking favorable coverage in the company newsletter. Accepting the gift would most directly conflict with:

Accepted Answer

The principle of independence and avoiding conflicts of interest

Answer

Accepting gifts from vendors seeking favorable coverage creates a conflict of interest that undermines the communicator's independence and objectivity.

(ABC) Accredited Business Communicator Practice Test

(ABC) Accredited Business Communicator Practice Test

ABC Communication Ethics 2