Responsible communication is more than just following the letter of the law. It is a constant reflection on the ethics of communication, responsible policies, and actions in everyday communication.
Open, active, and respectful interaction is at the heart of communication. Success in a rapidly changing environment requires trust built on honesty.
Openness
A communications professional:
- Promotes an open communication culture and strengthens the communication skills of their organization.
- Provides relevant information to stakeholders in a proactive and active way.
- Communicates clearly who they represent.
- Openly communicates interests and affiliations in relation to the mandate, both their own and those of the organization they represent.
Honesty
A communications professional:
- Distinguishes views and opinions from factual claims. Only makes claims that are verifiable.
- Does not present claims that they know to be false and does not misrepresent truthful claims
- Always corrects a claim that is found to be incorrect.
Reliability
A communications professional:
- Establishes the trustworthiness of their employer or client.
- Uses the confidential information and networks of their employer or client responsibly.
- Is responsible for ensuring that all partners supporting the communication also act in accordance with the Communication Code of Ethics.
- Identifies and discloses challenges and risks related to communication.
Respectfulness
A communications professional:
- Promotes respectful encounters and a culture of constructive debate.
- Understands the diversity of stakeholders and cultures and their different needs and takes them into account in communication.
