Information Ethics a global code and the role of libraries This presentation will introduce information ethics in the library and information science

Transcription

1 Information Ethics a global code and the role of libraries This presentation will introduce information ethics in the library and information science environment, and then take a closer look at codes of ethics. 1

2 Professional codes of ethics - Code of Information Ethics principles established as a framework to guide information professionals when dealing with situations involving ethical dilemmas or conflicts - Various LIS groups are currently working with human rights issues to formulate codes of ethics, including IFLA, the American Library Association (ALA) and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) in the UK (Mathiesen, 2015, p. 1311) - The LIS organisations most familiar to us all incorporate information ethics into their professional codes, explicitly or implicitly, through statements on - freedom of information / intellectual freedom; - protection of privacy; and - intellectual property rights. 2

3 LIS codes of ethics IFLA / FAIFE - The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is considered the global voice of the library and information profession (IFLA, 2015). - IFLA has also taken a leading role in the formulation of a global code of ethics for the LIS profession, by setting up the Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE), with the specific aim to: - Defend and promote the basic human rights defined in Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. - The Committee s mission is (FAIFE, 2015): - To further freedom of access to information and freedom of expression in all aspects, directly or indirectly, related to libraries and librarianship. - Between 2010 and 2012, the Committee conducted extensive consultation and drafting of an international code of ethics for librarians and other information workers, which was endorsed in August The result was the - IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians and other Information Workers It has since been used as a foundation document by library associations worldwide to formulate their own codes of ethics 3

4 LIS codes of ethics ALIA - The Australian Libraries and Information Association is the national professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector. - ALIA does not have its own Code of Ethics, but formally endorsed the IFLA Code of Ethics in 2012: - In addition, ALIA has issued: - a Member code of conduct ( and - a Statement on professional conduct ( which specifically call on members of the LIS profession to support intellectual freedom and promote the free flow of information and ideas, as well as protecting clients' rights to privacy 4

5 LIS codes of ethics CILIP - The UK s Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is its leading body representing the information professions - CILIP developed a set of Ethical principles, which includes ( principles on which members should base their professional conduct - It expressly mentions human rights under Principle 1: - Concern for the public good in all professional matters, including respect for diversity within society, and the promoting of equal opportunities and human rights. ( Ethical principles, 2013). - CILIP Code of professional practice based on ethical principles - CILIP also as an Ethics Committee where members can seek confidential advice on ethical issues at work 5

6 LIS codes of ethics ALA - The American Library Association has its own Code of Ethics intended to embody the ethical responsibilities if the profession. It contains 8 principles to guide ethical decision making ( similar to CILIP. - Under Professional Ethics on the ALA website, there are various Q&A guides to applying the Code of Ethics in practice an approach advocated by Fallis (2007) In addition, there is the Library Bill of Rights with its focus is on freedom of access - And the ALA has various interpretations of the Bill of Rights on its website, addressing current ethical issues, such as: The Universal Right to Free Expression ( lright) Privacy ( 6

7 Information Ethics considerations - In our roles as LIS professionals: - We have a responsibility to uphold the code of ethics of our professional body - To demonstrate a commitment to the principles of librarianship, being: - intellectual freedom, equitable access to information, user privacy, intellectual property rights - To advocate for a global code of information ethics to defend the principles of librarianship and human rights - And to develop a sound knowledge of information ethics theories & their application in practice to resolve ethical dilemmas. 7

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9 References About IFLA. (2015). Retrieved April 4, 2016, from About FAIFE. (2015). Retrieved April 4, 2016, from ALIA member code of conduct (2014). Retrieved April 4, 2016, from Brey, P. (2007). Is information ethics culture-relative? International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction (IJTHI), 3(3), doi: /jthi Code of Ethics of the American Library Association. (2008). Retrieved April 4, 2016, from Endorsement of IFLA code of Ethics (2012). Retrieved April 4, 2016, from Ess, C. (2006). Ethical pluralism and global information ethics. Ethics and Information Technology, 8(4), doi: /s Ethical principles. (2013). Retrieved April 4, 2016, from Fallis, D. (2007). Information ethics for twenty-first century library professionals. Library Hi Tech, 25(1), doi: /

10 References Library Bill of Rights. (1948). Retrieved April 4, 2016, from Mathiesen, K. (2015). Human rights as a topic and guide for LIS research and practice. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 66(7), doi: /asi McCook, K. de la P., & Phenix, K. J. (2006). Public libraries and human rights. Public Library Quarterly, 25(1-2), doi: /j118v25n01_05 Moor, J. H. (2005). Why we need better ethics for emerging technologies. Ethics and Information Technology, 7(3), doi: /s Professional Codes of Ethics for Librarians. (2015). Retrieved March 9, 2016, from Reitz, J. (n.d.). Information ethics. Online dictionary for library and information science. Retrieved March 11, 2016, from Statement on professional conduct (2007). Sturges, P. (2009). Information ethics in the twenty-first century. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 40(4), doi: / The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (n.d.). Retrieved from 10