Objectivity is not the only ethical consideration you must bear in mind when delivering an informative speech. You must also consider the implications for your audience members of the information you provide (Sides, 2000).

First, ethical speakers must choose appropriate topics for discussion. A fellow communication instructor told us that one of her students gave an informative presentation on how to grow marijuana. No matter what your opinion is on the legalization of marijuana, its use is still illegal in most states, so informing your audience about how to grow it its simply unethical.

As we’ve discussed throughout this book, an ethical speaker has a responsibility to provide an audience with information that is relevant and reliable in a way that is respectful of both the audience and the subject. The types of supporting material you offer (or do not offer) and your motives for speaking on a particular subject reveal quite a bit about you as an ethical speaker.

In addition, ethical speakers must avoid plagiarism by orally citing sources and providing a complete list of references at the end of a speech outline. If your speech misinforms your audience in any way, you are not offering an appropriate or ethical informative speech.