Ethics and Evil in the Public Sphere

The authors in this book provide share three convictions. First, whatever religious or humanistic foundation we start from, the end result of our communicative efforts should reflect a genuine love for humankind. Second, all human beings, and the social and cultural creations of their hands, reflect values for both good and ill. Those reflecting the best must be encouraged and legitimised, while those that reflect the unfortunate tendencies of people to castigate and condemn the other must be discouraged. And this, communication and culture in all their manifestations are critical in this process. What people say matters. What they do as journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, advertisers, and teachers matters even more because professional communicators have access to information and audiences who can be encouraged to do either—ethical behaviour or evil.

The authors have all been inspired by Clifford Christians and his efforts in creating an environments in which communications scholarship where ethical reflections could thrive.