Ethics in Communication

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What is Ethical Communication?

Let’s start by defining first what ethics and communication is.

Ethics comes from the Greek word ethos, which means character or moral nature. It is concerned with the question of right and wrong, good and bad in human action.

While communication is the human act of sending (verbal or nonverbal; online or offline) and receiving messages in which interpretations are made during the process.

Following these definitions, ethical communication then may be defined as the act of communicating clearly, concisely, truthfully, and responsibly.

Now because communication is a universal human activity, ethics in communication too can take a universal approach, regardless of an individual’s moral principles.

Indeed, although people from different cultures have different moral philosophies, everyone expects to be treated with dignity, fairness, respect, or at least with basic courtesy, in communicating with others.

Expressing Ethics in Communication

1. Adhering to the Golden Rule or the Platinum Rule

Surely, almost everyone is familiar with the golden rule, which may be expressed as, “Always treat others in the same way you want to be treated.”

Notice that the golden rule focuses more on self rather than on the person one is talking to.

Now although this rule may work for some, one nevertheless cannot just disregard other people who do not think and act like oneself.

The platinum rule, on the other hand, focuses more on other people’s preferences. It is commonly expressed as, “Treat others the way they wish to be treated” (Bennett, 1980).

To better distinguish the golden from the platinum rule, consider this example:

Paul transfers to a new school. He is still shy to approach any of his classmates, so he just remains silent in their classroom.

After a few days, Ryan, the class president, approaches him and talks to him casually. Ryan makes sure Paul is comfortable, so he tells him about sports without even asking whether Paul likes it or not.

The next day, Mary, his other classmate, talks to him and asks what he likes to do in his free time. Paul answers and tells Mary that he likes music. Mary tells him about the music club in their school, and Paul becomes excited about it.

When Ryan noticed them, he offered to treat Paul at the cafeteria. The three of them became friends. Paul thanked Ryan because of his kindness and generosity. Ryan said he treated Paul that way because that’s how he wanted others to treat him. While they were eating, John mentioned the music club again to Ryan and they talked about it until the bell rang.


In the example, Ryan used the golden rule because he treated Paul the way he wants to be treated: he wants others to be kind to him that’s why he’s kind to Paul.

Mary, on the other hand, used the platinum rule when he asked Paul what he likes to do during his free time, since the platinum rule is all about understanding what other people want in order to be able to know what and how to communicate with them.

Now always remember that there are some people who are not comfortable in dealing with anyone no matter how good they are to them. It is important to get to know these people first and treat them as they want to be treated in order to avoid conflict.

2. Considering the Feelings of the Receiver

Humans are not only cognitive beings; they too are emotional.

If one is careless with one’s words, tone, and non-verbal gestures, it could negatively affect other people.

In order to be ethical in communicating with others, it is best to maintain care, tact, and diplomacy in one’s communications.

3. Acknowledging the Source of Idea or Information

Sources of ideas or information should be acknowledged appropriately at all times.

It is unethical and unlawful for someone to use other people’s intellectual property without recognizing their name or organization.

In other words, give credit to where it’s due.


4. Speaking the Truth

This is a universal rule.

Speaking the truth makes a person reliable. However, it too can hurt others’ feelings. That’s why one needs to speak it carefully.

Some people are just not ready to hear the truth; one therefore has to consider their feelings. 

Sometimes one may know the truth, but the question is, are you the right person to say it? And is it the right time and place to talk about it?

Although, as the saying goes, truth will always prevail, there are unfortunately also people who, for whatever reason, seem to enjoy spreading lies and falsehood.

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