Share This Course
This program equips public relations (PR) and digital communication professionals with the knowledge and foresight necessary to navigate the complex ethical and legal landscape of the digital age. Through a future studies lens, participants will explore emerging technologies, potential disruptions, and how these factors impact responsible communication practices. The program will provide a comprehensive framework for navigating ethical dilemmas, complying with relevant regulations, and building trust with stakeholders in the digital world
• Analyse the impact of future trends on communication ethics and legal considerations, such as the rise of deepfakes, the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in content creation, and evolving data privacy regulations.
• Identify key ethical challenges in PR and digital communications, including issues like misinformation, deceptive advertising, and the potential for bias in AI-generated content.
• Understand the legal framework governing online communication, including intellectual property rights, data protection regulations, and laws related to online harassment and defamation.
• Develop a strategic approach for making ethical decisions in the digital age, considering future trends and their potential impact on ethical considerations.
• Utilize future studies methodologies to anticipate potential legal and ethical challenges arising from emerging technologies and adapt communication strategies accordingly.
• Craft clear and transparent communication strategies that build trust with audiences, comply with legal regulations, and uphold ethical principles.
• PR and communication professionals working in a digital environment.
• Marketing managers and social media managers responsible for creating and sharing brand content.
• Content creators and influencers seeking to understand ethical considerations in their work.
• Business owners and entrepreneurs building brand awareness online.
• Anyone interested in learning how to utilize future studies methodologies to anticipate potential legal and ethical challenges in the evolving digital communication landscape.
• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment
Day 1: The Evolving Digital Landscape & Ethical Challenges
• Welcome and program overview.
• The Future of Digital Communication: Exploring the evolving digital landscape and its impact on communication practices, considering the rise of social media as a primary communication channel, the increasing influence of user-generated content, and the potential of immersive technologies (AR/VR) for brand storytelling.
• Emerging Technologies & Ethical Dilemmas: Discussing the ethical considerations surrounding emerging technologies in PR and digital communication, such as deepfakes, AI-powered content creation, and the potential for algorithmic bias.
• Case Study Analysis: Analysing real-world examples of ethical lapses in PR and digital communication, exploring the consequences of these situations and identifying best practices for ethical communication.
• Guest Speaker: An expert in media ethics or a legal professional specializing in digital communication law can be invited to share their insights and answer participant questions.
Day 2: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Digital Communication
• Understanding Key Legal Frameworks: Providing a comprehensive overview of relevant legal frameworks governing digital communication, including:
o Intellectual Property Rights: Copyright laws, trademark protection, and fair use considerations for online content.
o Data Privacy Regulations: Exploring regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and their implications for data collection and user privacy.
o Online Harassment & Defamation Laws: Understanding the legal boundaries of online communication and developing strategies to avoid legal repercussions.
• The Future of Digital Law: Examining how future trends, such as the rise of autonomous content creation by AI, might necessitate new legal frameworks and ethical considerations.
• Developing a Legal Compliance Strategy: Providing participants with a framework for developing internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant legal regulations.
• Hands-on Workshop: Identifying Legal Risks in Digital Campaigns (Optional): Participants work in groups to analyze case studies of PR and digital communication campaigns. They will identify potential legal risks associated with the campaign, suggest strategies for mitigating these risks, and discuss alternative communication approaches that comply with legal regulations.
Day 3: Building Trust & Ethical Communication in the Digital Age
• The Importance of Transparency & Authenticity: Understanding the importance of transparency in building trust with audiences, considering future trends in consumer expectations for brand authenticity and responsible communication practices.
• Combatting Misinformation & Disinformation: Developing strategies for identifying and addressing misinformation and disinformation campaigns in the digital sphere.
• Ethical Content Creation: Establishing ethical guidelines for content creation, including responsible use of imagery, data visualization, and avoiding manipulative tactics.
• Building a Culture of Ethical Communication: Encouraging participants to foster a culture of ethical communication within their organizations, emphasizing responsible decision-making and accountability.
Day 4: Future Studies & Adapting to Change
• The Role of Future Studies in Ethical Communication: Exploring how future studies methodologies like scenario planning can help anticipate potential legal and ethical challenges in the digital communication landscape.
• Staying Informed about Emerging Technologies & Regulations: Discussing strategies for staying up-to-date on evolving technologies and legal frameworks impacting ethical communication practices.
• Developing a Culture of Continuous Learning: Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning for PR and communication professionals to adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape and emerging ethical considerations.
Day 5: Building Your Action Plan & Ongoing Learning
• Developing a Personalized Action Plan: Participants create personalized action plans outlining steps to implement ethical communication practices within their organizations. This may include:
o Conducting a risk assessment to identify potential legal and ethical challenges within their current communication strategies.
o Developing internal policies and procedures for content creation, social media management, and data handling that comply with legal regulations and uphold ethical principles.
o Establishing processes for fact-checking information and identifying potentially misleading content.
o Advocating for ongoing training and professional development opportunities for teams on ethical communication practices and emerging legal considerations.
• Course Wrap-Up & Ongoing Resources: Reviewing key takeaways from the program, addressing any remaining questions, and discussing ongoing resources for staying informed about advancements in digital communication, legal frameworks, ethical considerations, and future trends.
• Networking & Collaboration: Participants connect with each other, share their action plans, and explore collaboration opportunities for knowledge sharing and building a network of professionals committed to ethical communication in the digital age.