Enforcing Ethical Codes

Value-based professional codes are difficult to enforce when the code is frequently revised to reflect changing social and professional values.

Professional codes are effective in encouraging or enforcing ethical behavior if members support initiatives that reflect the codes. Codes are generally based on ethical guidelines, with a moral foundation. Since the codes are not legally-binding, they are difficult to enforce. Members are expected to follow an organization's codes, but cannot be forced. Professional codes typically represent an organization, and members presumably agree with the underlying values presented by the codes.

If a group is to be regarded as professionals, it is essential for members of the group to behave in ways that represent the values of the profession. Active dialogue and reflection among group members is necessary in order to establish the values of the profession, especially in relation to social and cultural development. Participation in group forums is an ideal way for members to communicate with other members of the group, discuss value-based issues, establish consensus, debate criteria, create a professional identity based on recognized standards and shared values. Ethical codes provide members with an established framework for making difficult ethical and professional decisions.

While ethical codes cannot be legally enforced, they can be used to defend the actions and behavior of group members who conscientiously practice in accord with the accepted codes. Professional codes indicate the types of behavior that professionals should exhibit, as a reflection of the underlying values that the group considers to be professionally appropriate.

However, some issues cannot be handled in the context of the code. Professional codes could conflict with changing laws (i.e., the Patriot Act).
Additionally, conflicts may be associated with codes. For example, "there can be conflict between two codes, between the professionl's personal values and code requirements, between the code and ordinary morality, between the code and institutional practice, and between requirements within a single code".
(http://soeweb.syr.edu/CHS/OnlineField/Ethics/Codes.htm)
Finally, a limited range of topics is covered in an ethical code. Since "a code approach is usually reactive to issues already developed elsewhere, the consensus requirement prevents the code from addressing new issues and problems on the cutting edge" (ibid.).
While initiatives like those related to the ALA's
"Intellectual Freedom Statements and Policies"
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementspolicies.htm
can be responsive to current political and social developments, ethical codes are more applicable in defining a professional attitude or way of responding to situations and making value-based decisions.

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