List and discuss any four guidelines that need to be followed for communicating ethically and responsibly with an audience.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary.As business communication often affects the lives of many, a writer must accept responsibility for using it to uphold his or her own personal values and the company's standards of ethical conduct. Before speaking or writing, one must use the following guidelines to help you communicate ethically and responsibly:a. Is the information stated as truthfully, honestly, and fairly as possible? Good communicators recognize that ensuring a free flow of essential information is in the interest of the public and the organization. Dishonesty can cost organizations money, as well as incur damage to their reputation.b. Is your viewpoint supported with objective facts? Are facts accurately documented to allow the reader to judge the credibility of the source and to give credit where credit is due? Can opinions be clearly distinguished from facts? Have you honestly evaluated any real or perceived conflict of interest that could prevent you from preparing an unbiased message?c. Are graphics carefully designed to avoid distorting facts and relationships? Communicating ethically involves reporting data as clearly and accurately as possible. Misleading graphics result either from the developers' deliberate attempt to confuse the audience or from their lack of expertise in constructing ethical graphics.d. Does the message embellish or exaggerate the facts? Legal guidelines related to advertising provide clear guidance for avoiding fraud, the misrepresentation of products or services; however, overzealous sales representatives or imaginative writers can use language skillfully to create less than accurate perceptions in the minds of receivers.REJ: Please see the section "Step 4: Adapt the Message to the Audience's Needs and Concerns" for more information.