BLABAGNO, PRINCESS JULIE ANN B.

PHD-ED.AD

ED705 - PUBLIC ETHICS AND PUBLIC SERVICE

Midterm Examination:

1) . Provide real-world examples to illustrate how public officials can

navigate ethical dilemmas while upholding the principles of transparency,
accountability, and integrity? Explain?

- Public officials often face ethical dilemmas in their roles, and navigating these
challenges while upholding principles like transparency, accountability, and
integrity is crucial. Here are some real-world examples:

1. Whistleblower Protection and Transparency: Edward Snowden's case is a

significant example. As a contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), he
exposed classified information about government surveillance programs. While
his actions violated his oath of confidentiality, they also brought to light
questionable practices that impacted public privacy. Snowden's ethical
dilemma lay in choosing between obeying secrecy agreements and exposing
what he believed to be unlawful surveillance on citizens. The case raised
debates about government transparency, accountability in surveillance
programs, and the ethical responsibilities of employees.

2. Conflicts of Interest and Decision-Making: In many instances, public officials

have vested interests that might conflict with their duties. Consider the case of
a government official involved in awarding contracts to a company they have a
personal connection with. While it might seem advantageous for the official or
their associates, this action compromises fair competition and violates
transparency and integrity standards. Navigating this dilemma involves recusal
from decision-making or clearly disclosing the conflict of interest to ensure
transparency and accountability in the decision-making proces

3. Campaign Finance and Integrity: Politicians often face ethical dilemmas

regarding campaign funding. Accepting donations from corporations or
individuals might create obligations that conflict with the public interest. For
instance, a legislator might be pressured to support policies favoring their
major campaign donors, compromising the integrity of the legislative process.
Upholding principles of integrity involves advocating for transparent campaign
finance laws and ensuring that financial contributions don't unduly influence
decision-making.

In each case, navigating ethical dilemmas requires a careful balance

between competing values. Public officials must weigh the consequences of
their actions on transparency, accountability, and integrity against other
considerations such as personal beliefs, legal obligations, and the public
interest. Building robust frameworks for ethical decision-making, fostering a
culture of accountability, and promoting transparency in governance are
essential steps toward addressing these challenges.

2) . How can public service organizations ensure that their policies and
practices are inclusive and address the needs of all citizens? Explain?

- Public service organizations can foster inclusivity and address citizens' needs
through a multifaceted approach. Firstly, they must actively seek diverse
perspectives by engaging with communities and stakeholders representative of
various demographics. This engagement enables a deeper understanding of
unique needs and ensures policies are crafted with inclusivity in mind.
Secondly, a commitment to accessibility is crucial, ensuring services are easily
reachable and accommodating for individuals with disabilities or different
needs. Cultivating a workforce reflective of the community's diversity also plays
a pivotal role, offering varied viewpoints and cultural insights. Regular
assessments of policies and practices, incorporating feedback loops, and
adapting based on data and insights gathered are essential. Furthermore,
ongoing training on cultural sensitivity and ethical considerations strengthens
the organization's ability to navigate diverse needs effectively. Ultimately, an
inclusive approach necessitates a proactive, continuous effort to listen, learn,
and adapt in service to all citizens.
3) . Discuss the mechanisms and tools that can be employed to enhance
accountability and transparency in government agencies?

- Enhancing accountability and transparency in government agencies involves

employing various mechanisms and tools. Implementing robust reporting
systems, where agencies regularly disclose their activities, expenditures, and
decision-making processes, fosters transparency. Additionally, establishing
independent oversight bodies or agencies tasked with monitoring government
actions helps ensure accountability. Open data initiatives, where government
information is accessible to the public in a user-friendly format, promote
transparency and enable citizens to scrutinize government actions.
Whistleblower protection programs encourage individuals within agencies to
report misconduct without fear of reprisal, further bolstering accountability.
Moreover, fostering a culture of ethical conduct and integrity within agencies
through training and clear ethical guidelines serves as a foundational element
in promoting accountability and transparency in government operations.