Ethics & Legal Considerations in Communication Flashcards

Which ethical framework focuses on outcomes and argues that communicators should choose the action that produces the greatest good for the greatest number?

Answer: Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism, associated with Bentham and Mill, evaluates ethical decisions based on their consequences and overall benefit to society.

A communicator at a publicly traded company releases a positive earnings forecast before it has been officially filed with the SEC. This action risks violating:

Answer: SEC Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure), which prohibits selective disclosure of material information

Regulation FD requires that when material information is disclosed to select parties, it must simultaneously be disclosed publicly to prevent insider trading advantages.

When a PR professional plants a question with an audience member at a client's press conference without disclosing this arrangement, this violates which ethical principle?

Answer: Transparency and honesty in communications

Planting undisclosed questions creates a false impression of organic audience engagement, violating honesty and transparency standards.

The Communications Decency Act Section 230 is significant for digital communicators because it:

Answer: Provides immunity to online platforms for third-party content posted by users

Section 230 shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content, shaping how digital communications platforms moderate and host content.

A communicator discovers that a colleague has been secretly recording internal strategy meetings. This behavior most directly raises concerns about:

Answer: Wiretapping laws and consent requirements for recording conversations

Many states require all-party consent for recording conversations, and federal wiretapping law prohibits unauthorized interception of communications.

An organization's code of ethics is most effective when it:

Answer: Is integrated into daily decision-making with clear guidance for handling ethical dilemmas

Codes of ethics provide maximum value when they are actionable, regularly reinforced, and embedded in organizational culture rather than treated as symbolic documents.

When a communications professional discovers a factual error in published content that could mislead the public, the most ethical response is:

Answer: Issue a timely correction and update all affected materials transparently

Transparent, prompt correction preserves credibility and fulfills the ethical obligation to maintain accurate public information.