Information Ethics and its Implications for Library and Information Professionals: A Contemporary Analysis
Information ethics provides an ethical framework for the information professionals for carrying out various information related works like acquiring, storing, processing and using of information. This has become vitally important in modern times, which has been dubbed as ‘information age’, because of the central role played by information in the socio-economic development of world nations. This also poses unique challenges for the library and information professionals, because the emergence of an ICT-driven information society has made their job much more challenging than before. This article explores the key questions related to information ethics and, in the light of codes of ethics promoted by national and international information organizations, discusses how information professionals could discharge their duties in an ethical and morally justifiable manner. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pp.v51i1-2.17677
Information Ethics: a student's perspective
Based on personal experience, and content analysis, this paper examines Information Ethics (IE) from a student’s perspective. Within this framework the paper defines IE, outlines the history of IE and highlights incidences of IE violations in Uganda. The paper concludes with proposals towards better adherence to IE in Uganda. The paper presents personal experience, observation and a content analysis methodology.
A Critical Discussion of "The Ethical Presuppositions behind the Library Bill of Rights"
In "The Ethical Presuppositions behind the Library Bill of Rights," Martin Frické, Kay Mathiesen, and Don Fallis argue that the presuppositions of the Library Bill of Rights regarding censorship, access, and paternalism need revision. They also maintain that a revised Library Bill of Rights needs to rest on a sound philosophical foundation. The foundation they propose is John Rawls' version of social contract theory. I take issue with both claims. Regarding social contract theory, I argue that utilitarianism yields nothing to it regarding the types of materials that libraries should offer and who should have access to those materials. As for the Library Bill of Rights itself, I criticize parts of their interpretation and their positions on censorship, access, and paternalism. My main concern here is with the authors' defense of paternalism in libraries, which would commit them to Internet filtering. I dwell at some length on the dangers of filtering.