Ethics in communication - why do we need it?

Summary

Christina Force Guard, newly appointed leader of EKOS ethics campaign, emphasizes the urgency of ethical communication in a world where technology has amplified both our capacity for good and the spread of misinformation. She calls on PR and communications professionals to use their influence responsibly to combat the erosion of trust in democracies caused by fake news. Force Guard invites a global discussion on ethics, urging us to consider our responsibilities and the power of our actions in shaping society.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Christina Force Guard has been entrusted with leading the EKOS ethics campaign, acknowledging the honor and challenge of the role.
• 🤔 The script emphasizes that no one has all the answers to the complex ethical issues arising in dynamic contexts.
• 🗣️ Open and respectful dialogue is essential for navigating the ethical challenges encountered in daily life and work.
• 🌍 The EKOS campaign involves 66 member countries, highlighting a global commitment to ethical considerations in communications.
• 🔥 The world is described as being in a state of crisis, with technology both empowering and fueling the spread of misinformation and hybrid warfare.
• 💔 The heart of democracy is under threat, with the potential for societal collapse due to the erosion of truth and trust.
• 🛡️ Democracy is founded on truth, trust, transparency, accountability, and responsibility, and the misuse of power can lead to destruction.
• 💡 The speaker believes in the ethical use of influence and the potential for PR and communications professionals to make a positive difference.
• 🚫 There is a call to action to combat the malicious use of communications and to stop the spread of fake news that undermines trust.
• 🤝 The necessity of finding allies and building bridges of trust is emphasized as part of the mission to uphold ethical standards.
• 🤔 The script concludes with a reflection on ethical conduct, asking individuals to consider their own values and the Golden Rule.

Q & A

Who is Christina Force Guard?

Christina Force Guard is the individual who has recently accepted the role of leading the EKOS ethics campaign.

What is the hashtag associated with the EKOS ethics campaign?

The hashtag associated with the EKOS ethics campaign is '#PowerOfEthics'.

Why does Christina believe it's a challenge to lead the EKOS ethics campaign?

Christina believes it's a challenge because there are no definitive answers to the complex and ever-changing ethical issues of right and wrong.

How does Christina suggest we find our path in ethical challenges?

Christina suggests that we should talk openly and respectfully about the ethical challenges we encounter every day in our lives and work.

Why is EKOS and its 66 member countries investing in ethics now?

EKOS and its member countries are investing in ethics now because technology has given us powers to do good but also has become a weapon for spreading mass confusion and misinformation, which threatens democracy.

What is the term used to describe the spreading of mass confusion with malicious intentions?

The term used to describe the spreading of mass confusion with malicious intentions is 'hybrid warfare'.

What does Christina believe is the foundation of democracy?

Christina believes that the foundation of democracy is built on truth, trust, transparency, accountability, and responsibility.

What responsibility does Christina think PR and communications professionals have?

Christina thinks PR and communications professionals have a responsibility to combat the misuse of communications and to stop the spread of information and fake news that erode trust and humanity.

What does Christina suggest as a way to defend ethical communications?

Christina suggests finding the right allies to join the mission and helping the world build new bridges of trust as a way to defend ethical communications.

What is Christina's big question to the audience regarding ethics?

Christina's big question to the audience is, 'What is it that you do not want the others to do to you, your family, your society?'

What does Christina propose as a solution to the ethical challenges faced by society?

Christina proposes open conversation and the exercise of a mutually agreed upon, understood, felt, and exercised code of conduct as a solution to the ethical challenges faced by society.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Ethical Challenges in Communications

Christina Force Guard, recently accepted to lead EKOS ethics, discusses the importance of ethical communication in the face of complex issues. She emphasizes the need for open and respectful dialogue about ethical challenges in our daily lives and work. The world is described as being in a state of crisis with technology contributing to both the potential for good and the spread of harmful misinformation. The vulnerability of democracy is highlighted, with the potential for collapse due to the spread of false news and harmful information. Christina calls on PR and communications professionals to use their influence ethically to defend against the misuse of communications and to build bridges of trust.

Keywords

💡Ethics

Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior. In the context of the video, ethics is emphasized as a critical component in the decision-making process, especially when dealing with complex issues of right and wrong. The speaker calls for an open and respectful dialogue about ethical challenges, which is central to the theme of the video.

💡Complex Issues

Complex issues are problems that are intricate and multifaceted, often lacking clear solutions. The video script mentions that the world is facing complex issues of right and wrong, indicating that ethical dilemmas are not straightforward and require thoughtful consideration.

💡Technology

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. The script discusses how technology has empowered people to do good but also has been misused to spread confusion and misinformation, highlighting the dual nature of technological advancements.

💡Hybrid Warfare

Hybrid warfare is a military strategy that combines conventional warfare, irregular warfare, and cyber warfare with other influencing methods, such as fake news and propaganda. The video script uses this term to describe the current threat to democracy, where misinformation is used as a weapon.

💡Democracy

Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the people, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives. The video emphasizes the vulnerability of democracy due to the spread of false news and the importance of truth, trust, and transparency in maintaining it.

💡Truth

Truth refers to the quality or state of being true. In the video, truth is presented as the foundation of democracy, and the erosion of truth through misinformation threatens the stability and integrity of democratic societies.

💡Trust

Trust is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. The script highlights that trust is a crucial element in society and that the spread of fake news and misinformation undermines this trust, which is essential for social cohesion.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility is the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or someone. The video script calls for individuals, particularly those in PR and communications, to take responsibility for the ethical use of their influence and to combat the misuse of communications.

💡Communications Professionals

Communications professionals are individuals who work in the field of public relations, media, and other forms of communication. The script addresses these professionals, urging them to use their skills and influence ethically to defend against the spread of misinformation.

💡Fake News

Fake news refers to false information or propaganda published under the guise of being authentic news. The video discusses the harmful effects of fake news on society, as it erodes trust and undermines the principles of democracy.

💡Ethical Communications

Ethical communications involve the responsible and honest use of communication channels to convey accurate and reliable information. The speaker in the video advocates for ethical communications as a means to defend against the spread of misinformation and to uphold democratic values.

Highlights

Christina Force Guard accepted to lead EKOS ethics campaign

Emphasizes the importance of discussing ethical challenges openly and respectfully

Acknowledges the complexity of right and wrong in changing circumstances

Technology's dual role in empowering good and spreading mass confusion

The rise of hybrid warfare targeting democracy through misinformation

Democracy's vulnerability lies in the freedom to choose and speak

The danger of democratic societies collapsing due to the spread of false news

Democracy is built on truth, trust, transparency, accountability, and responsibility

The ethical responsibility of PR and communications professionals

The need to combat the misuse of communications and the spread of fake news

The call to action for PR professionals to defend ethical communications

The importance of finding allies to join the mission of building trust

The challenge to use the power of influence to save humanity

Ethics as a mutually agreed code of conduct for society

The question posed to the audience about personal and societal ethics

The encouragement to talk and chat about ethics to foster understanding

Transcripts

hello my name is Christina force guard I

recently accepted to lead EKOS ethics

campaign power of ethics hashtag it's a

great honor and a huge challenge people

might think I have the answers

sorry I don't none of us have answers to

ever growing complex issues of right and

wrong in changing circumstances and

context to find our path requires that

we talk openly and respectfully about

the ethical challenges we encounter

every day in our lives and work so why

is eco and it's 66 member countries

investing in ethics now the answer is

very clear the world has always been

burning but the fire is getting out of

our hands technology has given us

amazing powers to influence to reach out

to people and do good but it has also

fuelled communications into a powerful

weapon of spreading mass confusion with

malicious intentions

the fireball has named it is part of

what is being called hybrid warfare and

it is aimed at democracy's heart the

vulnerability of democracy lies in the

same place as its power in our freedom

to choose speak live but when free will

people are being misguided by false news

and harmful information when people do

not know and do not care about the truth

anymore democratically organized

societies will eventually collapse

democracy is built on truth trust

transparency accountability and

responsibility power without

responsibility is the fastest way to

destruction

I believe we know how to influence

ethically and we know we can make a

difference in defending ethical

communications we as PR and

communications professionals exercise

and use our often quite magical powers

of in

for the benefit of our clients we are

higher guns but with our great powers

comes a huge responsibility I think we

owe it to our own profession and

humanity to combat the MAL use of

communications to do everything we can

to stop this information and fake news

which are eating away elements of trust

and humanity I think we need to find the

right allies to join our mission and we

need to help the world to build new

bridges of trust are you ready to accept

the challenge that we need to step in

not because we have a job to do for a

client but because we have a

responsibility to use our powers of

influence to save humanity ethics is a

set of mutually agreed understood felt

and exercised code of conduct that keeps

our families and society civil my big

question to you is what is it that you

do not want the others do to you your

family your society let's talk let's

chat power of ethics