BOA and Wikileaks
Abstract
In deciding if Bank of America should refuse to process payments and do business with Wikileaks, it is important to determine if there are any overarching utilitarian or deontological ethical factors. After consideration of the ethics involved from the standpoint of both organizations, I believe this decision comes down to a determination of the relative importance of competing rights. Bank of America’s decision will not solely affect the continuance of Wikileaks as an information outlet either way and therefore does not infringe on any of Wikileaks’ deontological rights, especially given that Bank of America has reserved the right contractually to cease business relationships based on their determination. The utilitarian considerations result in Bank of America continuing to provide service to its customers and Wikileaks continuing to function. Therefore, based on Bank of America’s stated position regarding the importance of individual privacy and their concern for protecting their reputation, I believe Bank of America should refuse to do business with Wikileaks.
Normative Ethics: Utilitarianism and Deontology
In the new world of technology and social media, many corporations are being faced with issues that they have not had to contend with before and are reviewing standard business practices in order to address these issues. Bank of America, along with other financially related organizations have found themselves facing a situation of how to deal with a controversial social media site, Wikileaks. More specifically, the question being considered is whether Bank of America should refuse to process payments and do business with Wikileaks. In answering this question, Bank of America must determine what, if any, ethical considerations are involved. After reviewing the utilitarian and deontological ethics involved, I believe that Bank of America should not process payments for nor continue to do business with Wikileaks.
When
In deciding if Bank of America should refuse to process payments and do business with Wikileaks, it is important to determine if there are any overarching utilitarian or deontological ethical factors. After consideration of the ethics involved from the standpoint of both organizations, I believe this decision comes down to a determination of the relative importance of competing rights. Bank of America’s decision will not solely affect the continuance of Wikileaks as an information outlet either way and therefore does not infringe on any of Wikileaks’ deontological rights, especially given that Bank of America has reserved the right contractually to cease business relationships based on their determination. The utilitarian considerations result in Bank of America continuing to provide service to its customers and Wikileaks continuing to function. Therefore, based on Bank of America’s stated position regarding the importance of individual privacy and their concern for protecting their reputation, I believe Bank of America should refuse to do business with Wikileaks.
Normative Ethics: Utilitarianism and Deontology
In the new world of technology and social media, many corporations are being faced with issues that they have not had to contend with before and are reviewing standard business practices in order to address these issues. Bank of America, along with other financially related organizations have found themselves facing a situation of how to deal with a controversial social media site, Wikileaks. More specifically, the question being considered is whether Bank of America should refuse to process payments and do business with Wikileaks. In answering this question, Bank of America must determine what, if any, ethical considerations are involved. After reviewing the utilitarian and deontological ethics involved, I believe that Bank of America should not process payments for nor continue to do business with Wikileaks.
When
References: Bank of America Corporation, Code of Ethics, (2011, March 1), retrieved from http://investor.bankofamerica.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71595&p=irol-govconduct Bank of America Corporation, Corporate Governance Guidelines (2011, February 24) retrieved from http://investor.bankofamerica.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71595&p=irol-govguidelines Basic information retrieved from Wikileaks homepage. Retrieved May 20, 2011 from http://www.wikileaks.ch/ Clinton, H. (2010, November 29) Press conference excerpt retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com Greenberg, A. (2010, December 10). Visa, Mastercard move to choke Wikileaks. Retrieved from http://blogs.forbes.com