Ethical code: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Ethical concept}}

{{redirect|Code of ethics|the band|Code of Ethics (band)}}

{{Multiple issues|

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{{See also|Business ethics|Code of conduct}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2017}}

Many companiesorganizations use the phrases ''ethical code'' and ''code of conduct'' interchangeably, but it may be useful to make a distinction. A code of [[ethics]] will start by setting out the values that underpin the code and will describe aan companyorganization's obligation to its stakeholders. The code is publicly available and addressed to anyone with an interest in thethat companyorganization's activities and the way it does businessoperates. It will include details of how the companyorganization plans to implement its values and vision, as well as guidance to staff on ethical standards and how to achieve them. However, a code of conduct is generally addressed to and intended for employeesthe aloneorganization's leaders and staff. It usually sets out restrictions on behavior, and will be far more focused on compliance or rules focused than valueon values or principle focusedprinciples.

==Code of practice (professional ethics)==

{{See also|Professional ethics}}

A code of practice is adopted by a profession (or by a governmental or non-governmental organization) to regulate that profession. A code of practice may be styled as a code of [[professional responsibility]], which will discuss difficult issues, and difficult decisions that will often need to be made, and then provide a clear account of what behavior is considered "ethical" or "correct" or "right" in the circumstances. In a membership context, failure to comply with a code of practice can result in expulsion from the professional organization. In its 2007 International Good Practice Guidance, ''Defining and Developing an Effective Code of Conduct for Organizations'', the [[International Federation of Accountants]] provided the following working definition:

"Principles, values, standards, or rules of behavior that guide the decisions, procedures and systems of an organization in a way that (a) contributes to the welfare of its key stakeholders, and (b) respects the rights of all constituents affected by its operations."<ref>{{cite book |author=PAIB Committee |date=31 May 2007 |title=Defining and Developing an Effective Code of Conduct for Organizations |series=International Good Practice Guidance |publisher=The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) |isbn=978-1-931949-81-1 |url=http://www.ifac.org/publications-resources/defining-and-developing-effective-code-conduct-organizations |url-access=registration }}</ref>{{Page needed|date=August 2017}}

Listed below are a few example statements from the professional codes of the [[Fourth Estate Public Benefit Corporation]] (Fourth Estate), [[Public Relations Society of America]] (PRSA), and the [[Society of Professional Journalists]] (SPJ):

; Fourth Estate's Journalism Code of Practice<ref>{{cite web |title=The Journalism Code of Practice |url=https://www.fourthestate.org/journalism-code-of-practice/ |website=Fourth Estate |publisher=Fourth Estate |access-date=23 December 2019}}</ref>

: "Accuracy: Accuracy, more-so than exclusivity or timeliness, is the overriding value of journalism."

: "Independence: Independence from state control, business interests, market forces, or any other vested interest or outside pressure is a hallmark of dispassionate, critical, and reliable journalism. It bolsters legitimacy and credibility in the eyes of the public."

: "Impartiality: Impartiality means not being prejudiced towards or against any particular ideology, idea, or preconception. Impartiality requires fairness and balance that follows the weight of evidence: it allows the journalist to make sense of events through dispassionate analysis of all relevant facts and perspectives."

: "Integrity: Integrity in journalism ensures that people and organizations uphold the values of journalism, always strive to do the right thing in all situations, even to their personal or organizational detriment, and put their obligations to the public first."

: "Harm Minimization: Journalists must always remember that they are dealing with human lives. The potential for public good must sufficiently outweigh the potential for harm that may come from the activity of journalism."

: "Engagement: Engagement with the public ensures that journalism remains open, accessible, collaborative, and participatory while keeping the journalist accountable to the highest standards of accuracy, independence, impartiality, and integrity."

: "Accountability: Accountability is essential to the ethical practice of journalism and the maintenance of the public trust. Being accountable for news-gathering practices and reporting means making firm commitments and taking responsibility for your journalism and the journalism of your peers."

; PRSA Code of Ethics<ref>{{cite web |title=PRSA Code of Ethics |website=Public Relations Society of America |url=https://www.prsa.org/ethics/code-of-ethics/ |access-date=19 August 2017 }}</ref>

: "Loyalty: We are faithful to those we represent, while honoring our obligation to serve the public interest."

: "Fairness: We deal fairly with clients, employers, competitors, peers, vendors, the media, and the general public. We respect all opinions and support the right of free expression."

; SPJ Code of Ethics<ref name=SPJ>{{cite web |date=6 September 2014 |title= SPJ Code of Ethics |website=Society of Professional Journalists |url=https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp }}</ref>

: "Minimize Harm … Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness. … Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges. …"

: "Act Independently … Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts."

==General notes==

Ethical codes are often adopted by management and also employers, not to promote a particular moral theory, but rather because they are seen as pragmatic necessities for running an organization in a complex society in which moral concepts play an important part.

They are distinct from [[moral code]]s that may apply to the culture, education, and religion of a whole society. It is debated whether the politicians should apply a code of ethics,<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.academia.edu/2064759 |language=it |first=Giampiero |last=Buonomo |title=Elementi di deontologia politica |journal=Nuovi studi politici |date=April–September 2000 |pages=3–66 }}</ref> or whether it is a profession entirely discretionary, just subject to compliance with the law: however, recently codes of practice have been approved in this field.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/qui/code_deontologie.asp |title=Déontologie à l'Assemblée nationale |author=Assemblée Nationale |author-link=National Assembly (France) |language=fr |date=2 August 2017 |website=Assemblée Nationale |access-date=3 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327042350/http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/qui/code_deontologie.asp |archive-date=27 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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Often, acts that violate ethical codes may also violate a law or regulation and can be punishable at law or by government agency remedies.

Even organizations and communities that may be considered criminal in nature may have ethical codes of conduct, official or unofficial. Examples could include [[Black-hat hacker|hacker communities]], bands of thieves, and [[street gang]]s.

Codes seek to define and delineate the difference between conduct and behavior that is [[malum in se]], [[malum prohibitum]], and good practice. Sometimes ethical codes include sections that are meant to give firm rules, but some offer general guidance, and sometimes the words are merely aspirational.

In sum, a code of ethics is an attempt to codify "good and bad behavior".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/code%20of%20ethics |title=Code of Ethics |work=[[Merriam Webster Dictionary]] |access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref>

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: [[Yamas]] and [[niyama]] ([[Hindu scriptures]])

; Others

: [https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics American Library Association Code of Ethics]

: [[Applied ethics]]

:* [[Media ethics]]

: [[Aviators Model Code of Conduct]]

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* [[Medical ethics]]

* [[Public sector ethics]]

* [[IDF Code of Ethics]]

==References==

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[[Category:Ethical codes| ]]

[[Category:Codes of conduct]]

[[Category:MoralityProfessional ethics]]

[[Category:Professional ethics|Code]]