London - A group of international media practitioners will congregate in London for a conference on 28th February, 2003. The meeting launches a new institute of communication ethics, a network for media and communication researchers and professionals, providing a place to study and develop training in the ethics of communication and the communication of ethics.

The conference aims to commence a practice of ethics linking the applied disciplines of communication; including marketing, advertising, journalism, public relations, information technology, corporate and government communications, publishing, law, science communication and others.

Participants have an opportunity to hear and meet Professor Clifford Christians, a world authority in the field of communication ethics, over from the USA and available for interviews on media ethics and ethics within communication. Professor Christians is author of Communication Ethics and Universal Values (Sage 1997.)

There is also the opportunity to hear and meet Claude-Jean Bertrand, Institut français de presse (Université de Paris-2), he specialises in the fields of "world media" and "media ethics". C-J Bertrand is author of Media Ethics and Accountability Systems, New Brunswick (NJ) & London, Transaction, 2000 (2nd ed. 2002)

To interview Clifford Christians on Thursday 27th February or Friday 28th February or to interview Professor Claude-Jean Bertrand on 28th or 29th February, please contact Robert Beckett on 07960 466 160 or +44 0 1273 477 779 , or email press@communication-ethics.org.uk

Background

The communication-media industries have become the largest and most influential in the world. As a source of international reputation for the UK, it is important that a systematic approach to ethical concepts and ideas is clearly integrated across and within the many communication disciplines. As the English language becomes the lingua franca for world business and its technologies, it is important that underlying ethics are clarified and agreed. From some cultual perspectives, Western media, technology and business practice are considered new forms of imperialism. The question of inter-cultural discourse is an important one. Post September 11, communication ethics may suggest a more sensitive reading of deeper cultural values is necessary. Using communication ethics, communication practioners can harness powerful technologies underpinned by systematic ethical principles thereby improving discourse between cultures and enabling dialogue between people.

Each of the communication industries, for instance journalism, may debate ethics shared within their own industry, however the value of communication-ethics is derived from its role as a non-aligned ethical discourse that all of the disciplines can share. Therefore, the rising debate on media responsibility is related to the debate on corporate responsibility which is related to government responsibility which is increasingly related to the debate on personal and social responsibility. In the new information society, vast organisational power and widespread information pollution can be balanced using personal skills founded on a practice of communication ethics. Such a practice offers some control to those individuals struggling to make sense of the post modern information blizzard, thereby assisting them to manage busy professional lives, health and well-being.

About the Institute of communication ethics

The institute of communication ethics is a not for profit international membership network established in 2001 by a group of practitioners from the communications media sector.

It provides interdisciplinary research, training and accreditation that support communication practitioners and their need to understand 'ethics in communication and the communication of ethics'.

The institute aims to:

- formalise the study and practice for the fast growing field of communication ethics and position the communications industry as vitally concerned with ethical reasoning and outcomes

- provide communication practitioners and researchers with a centre to drive the study of ethical practice in communications and provide ethics training for communicators

- develop specific tools, quality frameworks and training methods for the new field and provide these to its members, and additionally assess initiatives in related fields and provide guidance

- offer qualifications that support a practice of communication underpinned by principles, rules of conduct and systematic self-examination.

Communication ethics

Complexity in post-modern information societies, driven by media and communication technology, have led to increased interest in values and principles that provide a platform for decision making. The study of ethics within communications and the communication of ethical ideas represent such a platform.

All forms of communication are inextricably linked to ethical reasoning through common principles of truth and honesty, trust and relationships, reputation and integrity, conduct and justice. A fast developing field of research recognises the deep connection between the act and process of communication with ethical reasoning. People, through their relationships and values engage in communication in order to establish common agreements and identify areas of dispute. Communication ethics offers a perspective and focus that may address many intractable human issues.

Who uses communication ethics?

Ethical reasoning and communication skills are employed by all people, however the institute provides a learning centre for communication and media practitioners: journalists, advertising agents, marketers, designers, media producers, technology managers, organisational developers, human resource managers; and additionally to the related academic and professional disciplines.

The institute works with practitioner bodies in the communication fields as a specialist research centre for the practise and dissemination of ethics.

Services

Services provided by the institute include:

Policy presentation
The institute provides policy and guidance to the communication and media industries on the issues of communication ethics.

Research, learning programmes and partnerships
A key role for the institute is the design of research programmes and the dissemination of knowledge and good practice. The institute partners with other groups in order to facilitate learning.

Knowledge, training and publications
The information strategy concentrates on regular practitioner based information including the design of management frameworks, training tools and materials useful to build a practitioner based approach to the field.

Events, learning networks, seminars and conferences
The community of practitioners is provided with many opportunities to meet and build relationships. Particularly knowledge networks will operate within the specific sub disciplines of political, media, organisation, group and interpersonal communication ethics.

Support services
For the field to develop into a practical discipline, the institute will provide support for practice groups, advisory services, complaints and compliance systems.

Membership
Individual and organisations are welcome as members. They are divided into five categories
a) full individual members
b) student members
c) non profit organisation members
d) commercial organisation members
e) group members.
This last category is available to organisations from outside the communication-media sector (CMS) that are otherwise excluded from membership.

Governance
A steering committee acts as a board of directors for the company limited by guarantee (without shares). This steering committee comprises representatives from four universities, Sheffield, City, Lincoln and De Montfort who are also each specialist in the field of ethics in communication. A wider steering group of fifty organisational representatives is being established, structured around representative colleges for academia, media, NGOs, industry and individual practitioners.

Support
To build partnerships with Institute members or support the Institute, please contact the coordinators at the address below or call immediately, 07960 466 160.

Institute of Communication Ethics

Institute of Communication Ethics

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