The Words of Ethics across the Media in a Time of Pandemic. From Misinformation to Solidarity

Abstract

In such a peculiar time as the one we are living in now due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, our perception of risk and uncertainty have exponentially grown. The media have changed their lexicon, redefining some of their keywords, and have taken ad hoc communication strategies. Such a new communication narrative requires an ethical reflection, which should spur us to move along the pivotal principles of behaving “well” in a social context where everyone’s behavior takes on paramount importance, as it can make all the difference in lessening and/or expanding the risk of contagion; misinformation can also do likewise. It goes without saying that this means values and principles such as awareness, (joint) responsibility, and trust, which may strengthen the relationship among individuals (experts and ordinary citizens), institutions, and media for a new sense of community built on mutual solidarity. “Good” communication, built on such concepts, can with regard to the contemporary individualistic atomism crucially contribute to an increase in awareness and extend a true sense of support for the sake of public welfare in our taking care for ourselves as well as for others not only as individuals, but above all as a community.

Keywords

• communication
• community
• ethics
• trust
• responsibility
• media
• solidarity