Ethics in communication primarily concern standards of what is right and wrong. This involves understanding the moral implications of how we communicate, the responsibility we have in conveying information, and the potential impact our communication can have on others. Ethical communication emphasizes honesty, integrity, respect, and fairness, guiding communicators to engage in practices that promote trust and responsibility.
While new communication technologies, effectiveness, and theories of communication play important roles within the broader field, they do not directly address the moral dimensions that ethics focuses on. Ethics provide a framework for evaluating communication practices and ensuring that interactions contribute positively to society and respect individuals' rights. This principle is foundational in various contexts, such as interpersonal communication, public speaking, mass communication, and professional communication.