Ethics in Communication: Circle of Fellows No. 113
By Shel Holtz, SCMP, ABC, IABC Fellow
03 March 2025
As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, communicators face growing ethical challenges. From a PR agency fabricating false narratives about a competitor on social media to a New York Times reporter allegedly violating privacy in a private WhatsApp group, ethical breaches are becoming more prevalent. The rise of artificial intelligence in content creation further complicates the conversation, sparking debates about balancing innovation with ethical responsibility. Defining our ethical foundations has never been more critical in this shifting landscape. Watch below as a panel of experts tackle these pressing issues, providing valuable insights and guidance for communicators navigating today’s complex ethical terrain.
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Shel Holtz, SCMP, ABC, IABC Fellow
Shel Holtz is senior director of communication at Webcor, a California commercial general contractor and builder headquartered in San Francisco. Shel joined Webcor after 21 years as an independent consultant helping large organizations weave new technologies into their communication strategies and tactics. He also consulted on internal communications, crisis communication, leadership communication, and more. Before starting Holtz Communication + Technology in 1996, Shel had led communication departments at two Fortune 500 companies and spent five years working for human resources consulting firms. The author or co-author of six communication-themed books, Shel and his co-host, Neville Hobson, have presented the “For Immediate Release” podcast since January 2005, making it the first and longest-running communication-focused podcast.