Ethical factors of human information interactions

Summary: The paper is aimed at analysis of selected works of information ethics and at identification of ethical factors of human information interactions. We analyze selected aspects of the historical develop- ment and discourse of information and digital ethics. We summarize approaches to definition of information from the perspective of social values of information and aspects of disinformation and misinformation and identify ethical factors embedded in digital information literacy concepts. The discourse is categorized into the socio-cognitive, socio-cultural and socio-technological perspectives. We analyze recent models of information behavior from the viewpoint of dis / misinformation in digital environment. We present a concept of a Delphi study on information ethics and first results of a pilot study focused on identification of ethical issues, ethical dilemmas and values of information in information interactions. We include such ethical factors of information interactions as construction of value of information, rules of work with information, truthfulness, utility, responsibility, trust, emotions and ethical intuitions. As a result, a new conceptual model of ethical factors of human information interactions in digital environment is presented. We also propose a new concept of information ecologies at the levels of personal, communitarian and social, with the emphasis on adaptations and evolution. We recommend value-driven analysis of information interactions in digital environment for ecological and ethical re-design of information services and products.

Keywords: information ethics, information, disinformation, models of information behavior, information and digital literacy, model of ethical factors of information interactions