Ethics, globalization and intercultural communication

Abstract

Ethics and intercultural communication are usually discussed in terms of cultural relativity, identity issues and communication and/ or value systems. In response to our ethical responsibility as communication scholars, a model developed by the author over the last 15 years is introduced. This model explains why and how different types of ethical dilemmas arise in today's complex global information and communication system, which is increasingly dominated by the Internet and social media (Vaagan 2010, 2011, 2015) The model, while reflecting a mainly Western vantage point, can have wider significance since it challenges and invites also non-Western perspectives, and thereby can contribute to theorizing and fruitful discussion regarding global intercultural communication and dialogue.