Cyber-ethics for NGOs during Covid-19: The Eight “Ethical Variables” and a Microsocial Contract

Abstract Jürgen Habermas’ theory of communicative action and discourse ethics as a theoretical basis merges several factors that have an impact on the use of digital media by internet users. This article provides a qualitative narrative analysis of a study of five South African-based based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on their experiences with digital media and cyber-ethics during the Covid-19 pandemic. The author interviewed employers and digital media specialists from the NGOs about their experiences with the “eight ethical variables”, namely, justice, privacy, access, accuracy, truth, human dignity, regulation, and ownership of information, during the global Covid-19 (acronym for the coronavirus disease of 2019) pandemic. The article discusses how the NGOs have been affected by the increasing use of digital media. The article argues that a need exists for a framework of cyber-ethics for self-regulation purposes, to be followed by NGOs to deal with breaches of ethical conduct. Finally, the formulation of a microsocial contract based on the proposed eight ethical variables is offered. The present study contributes to media ethics literature by proposing a framework for ethical conduct for digital media use. This is of importance to internet users and may be achievable if imbedded in employee procedural policies and public policies. It is argued that in formulating appropriate ethical guidelines, Habermas’ discourse ethics should be kept in mind for an optimal microsocial contract to be attainable.