you will submit a legal and ethical handbook (rather than a traditional paper). The handbook pulls together all of the work y
you will submit a legal and ethical handbook (rather than a traditional paper). The handbook pulls together all of the work you have done this semester and allows you to apply it to your own organization or an organization of your choice.
Your handbook will include a list of ethical best practices for your organization. Your analysis of professional codes of ethics in Milestone One, as well as your use of the different ethical frameworks during our discussions, will help you create this list.
Your topic selection in Milestone Two, as well as the analysis of different cases in our discussions throughout the course, have given you practice in dissecting the legal and ethical issues associated with real-world communication dilemmas. You will put these skills into practice in the case-study portion of your handbook.
Finally, your new knowledge about the different areas of law, as well as your analysis of landmark court cases in Milestone Three, will help you create a list of legal guidelines for your organization. The goal is helping your colleagues avoid legal issues when creating digital media messages.
THE INSTRUCTION BELOW NEED TO BE FOLLOWED STEP BY STEP IN ORDER FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT TO BE COMPLETED ALL THE ASSIGNMENT THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS WORK IS ALSO ADDED BELOW.
COM 530 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview As a communications professional in the 21st century, it is critically important to understand the laws and ethics that guide how we communicate in digital and
mediated settings. Using the information learned in this class, you will create a handbook for digital communication for the company you work for or a company
you wish to work for. The handbook will be designed to guide employees on how to communicate ethically and legally in a digital world. It will also include a case
study of an existing digital communication case, issue, or dilemma as an example of how to apply the ethical guidelines and laws outlined in your handbook.
This project is a realistic assignment a communication professional might receive and also shows how the concepts learned in this course are applicable to the real world. Your handbook should be realistic, but can take many forms. For example, it can be created in a word document like a standard handbook. Or, it could be created as a website, blog, or presentation. You decide the best way to convey the information in an interesting and clear way including examples, photos, or graphics as you see fit.
This project is a realistic type of assignment that a communication professional might receive and also shows how the concepts learned in this course are
applicable in the real world. Your handbook should be professional and practical, but it can take many forms. For example, it can be created in a Word document
like a standard handbook. Or, it could be created as a website, blog, or presentation. You decide the best way to convey the information in an interesting and
clear way including examples, photos, or graphics as you see fit. (Although the final project is a handbook rather than a traditional academic paper, you should
still cite sources and include a list of references in APA format.)
This assignment addresses the following course outcomes:
Analyze relevant legal concepts in planning for the creation of new messages for digital delivery Analyze professional codes of ethics for their application to digital and mediated communication Evaluate common ethical frameworks for developing personal ethical principles regarding digital communication Analyze the influence of landmark legal cases and First Amendment applications for their impact on laws governing communication in a digital setting Examine dilemmas in digital communication for their legal and ethical implications
Prompt You have been asked by your company to create a handbook for ethical and legal communication in the digital age. The format of the handbook is up to you. For example, you can create one in Microsoft Word, or you can use a website or blog. Feel free to get creative, but the goal is to present all the information below in an organized, professional, and accessible way. It should be something that can easily be referred to by employees in your company as they go about their work creating messages and content for digital delivery.
Specifically the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction: Compose front matter (i.e., preface, overview, table of contents) that concisely informs the reader about the purpose and contents of the handbook.
II. Laws and Regulations: This section will discuss the laws and regulations associated with digital communication. Utilize specific examples to illustrate how these laws apply to digital communication decisions.
a) Select, and briefly describe, well-known situations that show how the First Amendment has been applied to digital and mediated communication.
b) Select landmark court cases in digital communication and explain what changes were made in communication law because of them. c) Determine content and messaging changes made by companies as a result of the changes in communication law brought on by landmark court
cases. d) Based on the above determination, compile a list of “best legal practices” that company employees should follow when creating digital
messages and other content for the company.
III. Ethical Guidelines: In this section, you will write your own code of ethics for your company employees that will guide their communication and message creation in the digital world. These guidelines should be your own and not copied from another source. However, your guidelines should be based on research and the ethical ideas and principles discussed in class.
a) Analyze existing professional codes of ethics for common themes that apply to digital and mediated communication. b) Based on these common themes, develop your own list of ethical guidelines with references to where you have obtained this information. c) Justify the inclusion of each ethical guideline and provide appropriate examples to support your rationale. d) Based on the code of ethics you have created and existing ethical frameworks, compile a list of “best ethical practices” that company employees
should follow when creating digital messages and other content for the company.
IV. Case Study: In this section, you will show how the legal concepts and your ethical guidelines can be applied to a real-life situation. This should serve as an example to employees of how to apply the information in the handbook.
a) Overview an existing, controversial dilemma in digital communication and explain the legal and ethical implications. This can be a specific incident or a general issue that pervades digital communication. The topic you choose should have both legal and ethical implications.
b) Apply the First Amendment to this situation and support your application with examples. c) Illustrate how existing communication laws and regulations apply in this situation. d) Based on the precedents set in the previously selected landmark legal cases, explain how this situation is impacted by them. e) Apply your list of “best legal practices” to assess the legal actions of the parties involved in this dilemma. f) Determine existing ethical codes from the media professions involved in the dilemma. g) Apply your list of “best ethical practices” to assess whether or not ethics were taken into consideration by the parties involved in the dilemma. h) Determine how the results of your analysis can be applied to future digital communication situations. Milestones
Milestone One: Analyzing Professional Codes of Ethics In Module Two, you will write a 4–6-page paper analyzing two professional codes of ethics and how they apply to digital communication. Choose two ethics codes from two different professional organizations, for example, journalism and public relations. You can also use the code of ethics from the organization your work for, if one exists. You will then analyze these codes for common themes that could be applied to digital and mediated communication messages. Describe how these codes can help guide ethical creation of messages to the public and then suggest three to five “best practices” or “practical guidelines” for how people should communicate ethically in these fields. Justify why you think each of your best practice suggestions are important. This assignment supports your successful completion of section III above. This milestone will be graded using the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Case Study Topic Selection and Explanation In Module Four, you will submit the topic for the case study that will be included in your final project. The purpose of the case study is to show how the legal concepts you discuss and the ethical guidelines you create can be applied to a real-life situation. The topic for your case study should be a real, controversial dilemma in digital communication. It can be a specific incident or a general issue that pervades digital communication and should illustrate the importance of at least one of the “best practices” or “practical guidelines” for ethical and legal communication in the field. Summarize your topic and briefly describe the legal and ethical aspects you believe are present. Make sure to justify why this topic is important and worth studying in order to become better communicators. Include a list of at least three potential sources you plan to use. This paper should be 2–4 pages long. This assignment supports your successful completion of section IV above. This milestone will be graded using the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Landmark Court Cases In Module Six, you will analyze landmark court cases for how they have impacted digital communication. Pick three to five landmark court decisions that changed digital communication. For each case, give an overview of the case, then describe how the case impacted or changed digital and electronic communication. Make sure to discuss any changes that had to be made in communication industries as a result of each case and/or any immediate effects as a result of each court decision. Evaluate the impact each case will have on the future of digital and mediated communication. This paper should be 4–6 pages long. This assignment supports your successful completion of section II above. This milestone will be graded using the Milestone Three Rubric.
Final Project Submission: Final Submission In Module Nine, you will submit your legal and ethical handbook. This handbook will include ethical and legal guidelines and practices along with a case study. The handbook should follow the final project prompt and include all the critical elements. It should be polished and free of errors and reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. The final project will be graded using the Final Project Rubric (below).
Deliverables
Milestone Deliverables Module Due Grading
One Analyzing Professional Codes of Ethics
Two Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric
Two Case Study Topic Selection Four Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric
Three Landmark Court Cases Six Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric
Final Submission: Handbook Nine Graded separately; Final Project Rubric
Final Project Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Your handbook should be 12–15 pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, and use 12-point Times New Roman font and APA format.
Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (90%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Introduction: Front Matter
Meets “Proficient” criteria and front matter demonstrates a complex grasp of the purpose of the handbook
Composes front matter that concisely informs the reader about the purpose and content of the handbook
Composes front matter that informs the reader about the purpose and content of the handbook, but front matter is cursory or verbose.
Does not compose front matter that informs the reader about the purpose and content of the handbook
5
Laws and Regulations: First Amendment
Meets “Proficient” criteria and situations selected demonstrate a complex grasp of First Amendment issues within digital and mediated communication
Selects and briefly describes well-known situations that show how the First Amendment has been applied to digital and mediated communication
Selects and describes well- known situations that show how the First Amendment has been applied to communication, but description is verbose or contains inaccuracies, or situations do not apply to digital and mediated communication
Does not select and describe well-known situations that show how the First Amendment has been applied to communication
4.5
Laws and Regulations: Landmark Court Cases
Meets “Proficient” criteria and details show keen insight into the symbiotic nature of communication law and digital communication law
Selects landmark court cases in digital communication explaining what changes were made in communication law because of them
Selects landmark court cases in digital communication explaining what changes were made in communication law because of them, but explanation is cursory or contains inaccuracies
Does not select landmark court cases in digital communication explaining what changes were made in communication law because of them
4.5
Laws and Regulations: Content and Messaging
Meets “Proficient” criteria and determination makes cogent connections between changes in messaging and changes in communication law
Determines content and messaging changes made by companies as a result of the changes in communication law brought on by landmark court cases
Determines content and messaging changes made by companies as a result of the changes in communication law, but determination contains inaccuracies or is not directly related to landmark court cases
Does not determine content and messaging changes made by companies as a result of the changes in communication law brought on by landmark court cases
4.5
Laws and Regulations: Best Legal Practices
Meets “Proficient” criteria and list exhibits a direct connection to changes in communication law
Compiles a list of “best legal practices” that company employees should follow when creating digital messages and other content for the company based on above determination
Compiles a list of “best legal practices” that company employees should follow when creating digital messages and other content for the company, but “best legal practices” are cursory or not based on above determination
Does not compile a list of “best legal practices” that company employees should follow when creating digital messages and other content for the company based on above determination
6
Ethical Guidelines: Professional Codes of
Ethics
Meets “Proficient” criteria and common themes show keen insight into existing professional codes of ethics that apply to digital and mediated communication
Analyzes existing professional codes of ethics for common themes that apply to digital and mediated communication
Analyzes existing professional codes of ethics for common themes that apply to communication, but analysis contains inaccuracies, or does not clearly apply to digital or mediated communication
Does not analyze existing professional codes of ethics for common themes that apply to digital and mediated communication
6
Ethical Guidelines: Common Themes
Meets “Proficient” criteria and list exhibits a complex grasp of the common themes in professional codes of ethics
Develops a list of ethical guidelines with references to where the information was obtained based on the common themes in existing professional codes of ethics
Develops a list of ethical guidelines with references to where the information was obtained, but list is not based on common themes in existing professional codes of ethics
Does not develop a list of ethical guidelines with references to where the information was obtained based on the common themes in existing professional codes of ethics
6
Ethical Guidelines: Ethical Guideline
Meets “Proficient” criteria and makes exceptional use of examples to justify the inclusion of each ethical guideline
Justifies the inclusion of each ethical guideline providing appropriate examples to support rationale
Justifies the inclusion of each ethical guideline, but justification is cursory, or examples used to support rationale are inappropriate
Does not justify the inclusion of each ethical guideline and provide appropriate examples to support rationale
6
Ethical Guidelines: Best Ethical Practices
Meets “Proficient” criteria and response demonstrates keen insight into how “best ethical practices” can guide the creation of digital content
Compiles a list of “best ethical practices” that company employees should follow when creating digital content for the company based on the code of ethics that was created
Compiles a list of “best ethical practices” that company employees should follow when creating digital content for the company, but list is cursory, or not clearly based on the code of ethics that was created
Does not compile a list of “best ethical practices” that company employees should follow when creating digital content for the company
6
Case Study: Existing Controversial
Dilemma
Meets “Proficient” criteria and details provided show keen insight into the legal and ethical implications
Overviews an existing controversial dilemma in digital communication, explaining the legal and ethical implications
Overviews an existing controversial dilemma in digital communication, explaining the legal and ethical implications, but overview is cursory or contains inaccuracies
Does not overview an existing controversial dilemma in digital communication and explain the legal and ethical implications
6
Case Study: First Amendment
Meets “Proficient” criteria and examples highlight cogent connections between the First Amendment and the situation
Applies the First Amendment to the situation and supports application with examples
Applies the First Amendment to the situation and supports application with examples, but application contains inaccuracies, or supporting examples are not cogent
Does not apply the First Amendment to the situation and support application with examples
6
Case Study: Existing Communication Laws
Meets “Proficient” criteria and makes cogent connections between specifics of the situation and communication laws and regulations
Illustrates how existing communication laws and regulations apply in this situation
Illustrates how existing communication laws and regulations apply in this situation but illustration is cursory, or not adequately supported with examples
Does not illustrate how existing communication laws and regulations apply in this situation
6
Case Study: Precedents
Meets “Proficient” criteria and details show keen insight into the impact of landmark precedents on the situation
Explains how the situation is impacted by the precedents set in landmark legal cases
Explains how the situation is impacted by the precedents set in landmark legal cases, but explanation is cursory or contains inaccuracies
Does not explain how the situation is impacted by the precedents set in landmark legal cases
4.5
Case Study: Best Legal Practices
Meets “Proficient” criteria and makes cogent connections between best legal practices and legal actions of the parties involved
Applies “best legal practices” to assess the legal actions of the parties involved in the dilemma
Applies “best legal practices” to assess the legal actions of the parties involved, but application is cursory or assessment is illogical or contains inaccuracies
Does not apply “best legal practices” to assess the legal actions of the parties involved in the dilemma
6
Case Study: Existing Ethical Codes
Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates a complex grasp of the existing ethical codes involved
Determines existing ethical codes from the media professions involved in the dilemma
Determines existing ethical codes from the media professions involved in the dilemma, but determination is cursory or contains inaccuracies
Does not determine existing ethical codes from the media professions involved in the dilemma
6
Case Study: Best Ethical Practices
Meets “Proficient” criteria and makes cogent connections between best ethical practices and the considerations of the parties involved
Applies “best ethical practices” to assess whether or not ethics were taken into consideration by the parties involved in the dilemma
Applies “best ethical practices” to assess whether or not the ethics were taken into consideration by the parties involved, but application is cursory or assessment is illogical or contains inaccuracies
Does not apply “best ethical practices” to assess whether or not the ethics were taken into consideration by the parties involved
6
Case Study: Future Digital
Communication
Meets “Proficient” criteria and shows keen insight into how digital communication may evolve in the future
Determines how the results of the analysis can be applied to future digital communication situations
Determines how the results of the analysis can be applied to future digital communication situations, but determination is cursory or illogical
Does not determine how the results of the analysis can be applied to future digital communication
6
Articulation of Response
Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to- read format
Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization
Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas
Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas
5
Total 100%
- COM 530 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
- Overview
- Prompt
- Milestone One: Analyzing Professional Codes of Ethics
- Milestone Two: Case Study Topic Selection and Explanation
- Milestone Three: Landmark Court Cases
- Final Project Submission: Final Submission
- Deliverables
- Final Project Rubric
,
5
Code of Ethics
Shawnette Howard
SHNU
1/16/2022
A Code of ethics is a set of moral guiding principles that generally dictate how different situations should be handled within an organization, assuming people will have to play different roles and the said roles will involve the interaction with different people. Therefore, these guiding principles are put in place to ensure the utmost high recognition of professionalism within the working environment. It is agreeable that such principles are primarily put in place to act as a watch regarding ethics and morality regarding what is right to what is wrong. Therefore, this implies a minimum expectation of the kind of conduct expected in the workplace, and this code constitutes ethical standards.
American Medica Association (AMA) is one of the biggest and most established organizations in the United States of America. This implies that there is a need to establish a set of rules and expectations to be followed by the different medical practitioners when it comes to handling sensitive information, especially that information that is relevant to the treatment of a patient. This need has created the room to adopt a code of conduct that recognizes that communication must be done in an ethical manner that recognizes both the patient and the medical practitioner's role in the exchange, that is, treatment of the patient by the medical practitioner this codes are under Chapter 2: Ethics of Consent, Communication & Decision Making ( AMA, 2022). The code describes that information should be shared to ensure professionalism. It further recognizes that there should be a logical way of communicating information regardless of the patient and why they have sought out medical help.
The idea is to ensure that the patient feels safe enough to confide in their doctors in whatever capacity is needed depending on what information is required. For this reason, despite the means of communication, for example, through electronic means such as over a phone call, information should only be relayed to the legally recognized individual, in most cases the patient, next of kin, or parents and guardians. The code recognizes that information can be shared for many reasons, including announcing a patient's release or even death. Communication, in this case, is left to those who are in a legal capacity and professionally to be able to convey such a message in a clear and comforting as is required in this field.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a humanitarian organization mandated by the United Nations (UN) to take care of refugees and those displaced from their homes in a manner that destabilizes their ability to take care of themselves and their families. In most cases, such individuals may be escaping war or floods and famine, thereby seeking help from the organization. Like AMA, UNHCR recognizes the importance of communication, especially because the information is critical in the idea that funds used are from donors who would want to know how their money is being used. Therefore, the organization's code of ethics requires its employees to avoid sharing information about any of those refugees seeking help and those volunteers who are part of the organization out of their own accord. In this case, communication about any individuals is limited by the code of ethics to those legally allowed to.
However, the two organizations contrast in their code in the sense of need. The American Medical Association applies the code of ethics to ensure that confidentiality is maintained, thereby building trust between the Doctors and their patients. In contrast, the UNHCR uses the codes to develop a way of protecting those seeking help for reasons that may endanger their lives, such as those who are running away for political reasons. In the latter, communication is limited to ensure that such individuals' identity remains hidden, creating security for them.
Professional codes in ethical digital and mediated communication ensure that online communications are carried out in a sensible way that keeps the idea for respect of every individual at both ends of the communication medium. The code of honesty is an important ethical code in digital and mediated communication because it recognizes that digital communication is only efficient in cases where there is an actual representation of everyone's true identity. In such a case, identity must be honestly presented to avoid situations of misrepresentation, which may lead to unlawful and unwarranted decision-making out of the communication being made (Ethics, 2022). Secondly is the code of confidentiality; this ethical code is important in the sense of the sensitivity of the information being communicated by one individual to another. In such a case, information being communicated may at times bear vital data such as individuals' bank information or information that bears life or death consequences, as is often the case when it comes to information pertaining to the dispatching of military personnel and etcetera(Ethics, 2022). Therefore, this code is important since it ensures that aspects of identity are protected when communication is done over such mediums.
Based on my reading, I believe that their ethical guidelines would benefit any given organization. The first code in such a case is the practice of obeying any law or public policy; this is important because it gives everyone the mandate to work within the bracket prescribed by the law. A good example would be that such a code will deter individuals working in a bar from selling liquor to underage people since it is against the law (Ethics, 2022). Secondly, I believe that as a code of ethics, it should be expected that individuals in a workstation should give credit to those who are deserving. This is especially important when it comes to tasks involving superiors and those subordinate to them; in such situations, such a code would require that the superior staff recognize the role played by those under them. This is important because it provides everyone in a given workplace with a healthy environment to work in, in the sense that they can get the right reward for growth, for example, in the form of a raise and promotion.
An example of why such code would benefit a company is displayed in a situation where interns work hard to be recognized by their superiors and find solid ground in terms of employment in the organizations in which they are interning. Such a code in the said organization would allow the intern to feel comfortable, which inclines them to put in more effort, which reaps mutual benefit to the company and them as they are recognized for the good, they hav
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