Ethics of Public Speaking

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ethics as "the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group."

As a public speaker you have the responsibility to make sure that the information you use and provide is credible. This is where Ethics comes into the picture.

Ethics in public speaking refers to the moral conduct and responsibility we have in what we do and say.

You "get to" take responsibility for the information and the words you use in your speech. All words are not equal and how you say something has even more impact that what you say. And when you are developing/gathering information for your speech, realize:

EVERYTHING ON THE INTERNET IS NOT TRUE!

Often you will need to decide if information is credible or not by using critical thinking skills and logic. If something sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Your ethical conduct is a direct reflection of your personal values. This holds true for all your audience as well so it is important to construct your speech with your and the audiences values in mind (see Lesson on Your First Speech and the section on understanding your audience).

There is a balance of free speech and there are responsibilities that accompany it. Ideas are to be challenged, inspected, dismantled and re-evaluated.  People, on the other hand, are to be treated with respect, even when we disagree. If you tick off your audience you will soon find yourself out of opportunities to speak (You can't be a public speaker if there is no one that will listen to you?)

To understand more about values that are important to people, Milton Rokeach, a prominent psychologist, identified prominent values that are important to most people. You can link to it here:
VALUES LIST

An ethical speaker will avoid speech that provokes people to violence, is hurtful to other's reputation, or invades someone's privacy.

Believe me when I say that there are times that it would be satisfying at some level to be what I term as "brutally honest." This of course is in theory only, as I am sure I would feel bad when I tell the guy next to me at my daughters soccer game to shut up because he sounds like a bumbling idiot (well maybe I wouldn't feel that bad although I might get punched).

Sometimes you may have an urge to "exaggerate" or "distort" the truth some to make your speech more exciting. Don't do it! Just find a better, more creative way of expressing your point. A stretched, exaggerated, or half truth is nothing more than a lie.

I compare that to someone saying they are "kind of pregnant" or "half pregnant." That doesn't work, you are either pregnant or you are not.

A good speech is one that contributes to the audience in a positive way. That's not to say that a speech must be exactly what the audience wants, it can allow the audience to question their assumptions or beliefs on a given topic, clarify a topic that has been misrepresented, or provide another view point. We will discuss this more when we get into Persuasive Speeches.

The key in expressing these "alternative" points of view is how you convey the message. Public speaking is learning to master the art of language.

Good ground rules for ethical speaking include what I learned from the Boy Scout law. I have added to to the law with how it applies to public speaking.

A Scout/Public Speaker is:

• Trustworthy- speak the truth
• Loyal- be steadfast in doing what's right
• Helpful- helping your audience have a "meaningful" experience
• Friendly- smile be an enjoyable presenter
• Courteous- show respect for others beliefs, values, and opinions
• Kind- be friendly, generous, and considerate
• Obedient- do what you're going to say you're going to do
• Cheerful- be someone that makes others feel better
• Thrifty- Be resourceful
• Brave- It takes courage to speak in front of others
• Clean- Dress nice and always use clean language
• Reverent- show respect for rights and responsibilities that come with Free Speech

Give credit where credit is due

Just like much of my material comes from my experience, Toastmasters, a variety of books (e.g. Speaker's Guidebook), much of your material will come from other resources.

When giving a speech let the audience know where the information came from (if it did come from another source). Granted, giving a speech is not like writing a term paper in APA format in which there is a specific format for citations and a reference page, but you need to let people know that you are using information from somewhere other than your genius.

Simply put you would state that the information is from (insert name and source).

Some important items to consider when using other people's information (OPI).

1. If there is a name or names attached the info, use it.
2. If it is a study or source that does not have a person's name, then use the organization's name.
3. You may want to use both the person or persons names and the name of the organization if it will lend to more credibility.
4. You may want to use a date that is associated with the information if it will help with the credibility of the information.

If your information is on a PowerPoint you will want to be more structured in citing the information and will want to include:

• Source type (magazine, Web site, interview)
• Author or origin of source
• Title or description of source
• Date of publication or interview

Also let the audience know if it is a direct quote or if you are paraphrasing the information.

Any time you use a fact or statistic, it is important to cite where that information came from. Make sure the site is a credible site or source (not your Uncle Joe, unless your Uncle Joe is the head of the Bureau of Labor and Statistics).

Always check the copyright laws on material/information you are using.

The "doctrine of fair use" is a nice thing to know as it permits to the limited use of copyrighted works without permission for the purposes of scholarship, criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, and research.

For more information on copyright CLICK HERE to visit the U.S. Copyright Office Website.

Question

1. How does the use of cited material help bring credibility to your speech?
2. Why would you want to make sure that what you are saying is true (not a half truth or exaggerated truth)? Is there ever a time that it is okay to lie while speaking to others? Think about this one. What if your wife/girlfriend/friend asks you if she looks fat in the dress she is wearing, and she does.
3. What makes a great public speaker to you? 
4. What "Boy Scout laws" are your strength and why?