Ethics of the Florida Communication Association

Code of Ethics | Statements | Policies

1. Overview and Acknowledgements
   1. The Florida Communication Association affirms the ethical behavior and practice of all its officers, members, and those involved in the communication discipline. We affirm ethics in communication practice, application, and research. Ethical considerations must occur at all stages of communication and research and are a critical component of responsible communication. We affirm ethical communication and research must begin with us as we strive to facilitate free and responsible communication for all members of society. Our communication and professional conduct must be guided by the values of honesty, integrity, prudence, mindfulness, and an appreciation of diverse perspectives, lived experiences, ideas, and opinions.
   2. The Florida Communication Association acknowledges its role in advocating for the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of communication practice, application, and scholarship as well as that of higher education policies.
   3. The Florida Communication Association gratefully acknowledges the work of the International Communication Association for its Code of Ethics as well as the National Communication Association for its Code of Professional Responsibilities for the Communication Scholar/Teacher, which itself owes a debt to the American Sociological Association’s definitions of ethical behavior. We acknowledge the codes, statements, and policies of the regional communication associations: Southern, Central, Eastern, and Western. Much of the FCA Code of Ethics derives from all of the above codes, statements, and policies.
   4. The Florida Communication Association, in addition to its own Code of Ethics, follows the International Communication Association’s Code of Ethics, the National Communication Association’s Code of Professional Ethics for the Communication Scholar/Teacher Code of Professional Ethics, the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2003 with 2010 and 2017 amendments), and the American Sociological Association’s Code of Ethics.
2. Code of Ethics
   
   1. Article I: Human Rights
      1. The FCA affirms the rights of all people regardless of gender, gender identity/expression, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious affiliation, ability, status, social class, caste, age, marital/domestic/parental status, or immigration status.
      2. The FCA affirms the rights and protections of research participants and data subjects. FCA upholds the values of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice in research processes. FCA expects its members and those of the communication discipline to abide by any applicable local, regional, national, and/or international ethics and review boards. Research participants should have significant and informed choice as to their voluntary consent or assent in any research endeavor. FCA condemns any researchers’ violation of human rights and expects them to be mindful and considerate of the needs of vulnerable populations.
      3. The FCA affirms the rights of educators to intellectual and academic freedom in their classrooms. FCA expects its members and those in the communication discipline who are in educator positions, positions often imbued or perceived as ones of power, to exercise such rights responsibly and in ethical consideration of their students and communities. FCA condemns communication and language which disparages, discriminates, harasses, and/or violates the dignity of any individual or group of people under the guise of “freedom of speech.”
   2. Article II: Academic and Scientific Integrity
      1. The FCA affirms high standards for academic and scientific integrity. FCA expects its members and those of the communication discipline to uphold faithful citation and anti-plagiarism practices in all teaching and research endeavors.
      2. The FCA defines academic integrity as teaching, writing, research, practice, and application which is free from copywriting, plagiarism (of self or others), and cheating.
      3. The FCA defines scientific integrity as scientific inquiry, process, and reporting which is free from fabrication, falsification, censorship, and deceit.
      4. The FCA affirms the faithful and transparent reporting of scholastic research including procedures, methodology, ethical considerations, data collection and analysis, results/findings, limitations, conflicts of interest, financial support, and/or sponsorship.
      5. The FCA expects its members and those of the communication discipline to acknowledge the work of others accurately and explicitly in their teaching and research. The FCA expects the clarity and accuracy of authorship in any submission it receives based on the faithful acknowledgement of contribution.
      6. The FCA affirms the values of academic and scientific inquiry including, but not limited to honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility, and truthfulness.
   3. Article III: Responsible Communication
      1. The FCA affirms ethical communication as a cornerstone of the discipline and the hallmark of responsible communication. Ethical values are constructed, obtained, and practiced through the reflection and dialogue of FCA members as well as those inside and outside of the communication discipline.
      2. The FCA affirms the mindful, respectful, and responsible use of technological platforms by its members and those in the communication discipline to engage and communicate with broader audiences.
      3. The FCA affirms non-discriminatory communication which respects human diversity. FCA condemns – by word, deed, or inference – communication which contains – in full or part – discrimination, harassment, hostility, degradation and/or humiliation, or intimidation against another individual or group of people.
      4. The FCA is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment in addition to open and free scholarly exchange.
      5. The FCA acknowledges its role and the role of its members and those in the communication discipline in responsibly considering the impact of teaching, research, and communication on the broader public. The FCA holds itself, its members, and those in the communication discipline to high standards of care, social responsibility, respect, justice, inclusivity, and accessibility.
3. Statements and Policies
   
   1. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Statement
      1. The FCA follows the NCA in defining diversity as a fair and just commitment to equity, access, and inclusion for all persons.
      2. The FCA is committed to diversity of thought and geographic representation. The Association is committed to diversity in terms of gender, gender identity/expression, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious affiliation, ability, status, social class, caste, age, marital/domestic/parental status, or immigration status.
      3. The FCA is committed to diversity, inclusion, and access among our faculties, within our membership, in the workplace, and in the classroom. The Association promotes fair and just policies that promote equity.
      4. The FCA opposes efforts to policies and actions that are designed to eliminate or restrict inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access.
   2. Anti-Discrimination Policy
      1. Membership in the FCA is open to all people regardless of gender, gender identity/expression, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious affiliation, ability, status, social class, caste, age, marital/domestic/parental status, or immigration status.
      2. The FCA does not discriminate in electing or appointing individuals based on any of the aforementioned characteristics.
      3. The FCA opposes acts of violence against all individuals and opposes all that discriminates, prohibits, and/or restricts individuals based on essentialized differences.
      4. The FCA endorses the use of public protests, advocacy, civil disobedience, and/or nonviolent means of expression as (counter)responses to acts of injustice.
      5. The FCA facilitates inclusive and equitable spaces, promotes equality and equity of opportunity, and encourages social change and justice. 
   3. Privacy Policy
      1. The FCA is committed to protecting the privacy of its members.
      2. The FCA will not sell or share its membership list or contact information with any agency, organization, or institution without the consent of the membership. The FCA membership information will only be shared among the executive officers of the Association and the journal printer.

Resources:

Western States Communication Association Resolutions and Public Statements

Eastern Communication Association Code of Professional Ethics

Central States Communication Association Bylaws and Policies

National Communication Association and Inclusivity

National Communication Association and Social Activism

International Communication Association Guiding Principles