Ethics & Legal Considerations in Communication Flashcards

Which ethical principle requires a communicator to avoid spreading information they know to be false, even under organizational pressure?

Answer: Veracity

Veracity—the commitment to truthfulness—obligates communicators to refuse knowingly disseminating false information regardless of pressure.

A news release contains a photograph that was digitally altered to make a product look more appealing than it is. This practice most likely violates:

Answer: FTC regulations against deceptive advertising

The FTC prohibits deceptive advertising, including materially misleading product images that could influence consumer purchasing decisions.

The principle of 'informed consent' in communication ethics means that:

Answer: Audiences should understand what information is being collected and how it will be used

Informed consent requires that individuals understand and agree to how their data or participation will be used in communications campaigns.

When a company issues a press release that omits material negative information about a product, this may constitute:

Answer: Material omission, which can be legally actionable

Deliberately omitting material facts that would affect audience decisions can be considered deceptive and is potentially actionable under FTC and SEC regulations.

A public communicator receives a leaked confidential document. Before using this information, the primary ethical consideration is:

Answer: Whether publishing serves a genuine public interest that outweighs potential harms

Public interest justification is the primary ethical framework for evaluating whether to use confidential information obtained through leaks.

Which of the following best describes 'astroturfing' in the context of communication ethics?

Answer: Creating fake grassroots movements to make corporate campaigns appear citizen-driven

Astroturfing is the deceptive practice of manufacturing the appearance of organic public support for campaigns that are actually corporate-sponsored.

Under U.S. law, a public figure suing for defamation must prove:

Answer: Actual malice—that the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for its truth

The Supreme Court's New York Times v. Sullivan ruling established that public figures must prove actual malice to succeed in defamation claims.