I.

Introduction

A local newspaper reporter recently called Juan and asked some general questions about
the government agency where he is working and some of its procedures. No specific claims
were discussed and Juan answered the reporter’s questions as best as he could.
Q: Should Joe have answered the reporter’s questions, since they were generic in nature?

II. Resolution

A. Arguments

Due to the study being general in nature there is many arguments or actions that can be
done in the specific situation. Determining the various statements that may be beneficial to
the study when viewed correctly.

In it was not stated where or whom the local newspapers reporters are, they could either
be real interviewees or an illegitimate business that may or may not use the information being
gathered. The case study also stated that the questions will be general, which is something as
a concept or statement that is applicable as a whole. The questions may be general but it is
not stated what are the different questions the reporters will ask, the questions ask about
confidential information that should not be stated outside the government agency. The last
information stated was that the employee Joe answered the questions about the agency, it
was not stated whether he asked permission from the head to disclose public and confidential
information to the interviewees.

The actions Joe could do will affect both the government agency and the reporters through
ethical and legal means.

In Joe’s case, being information sensitive plays an important role in determining what kind
of information Joe can disclose to the reporters, questions that the employee may answer are
questions about public information, which is information that is already a matter of public
record or knowledge with regard to government and private organizations. Another form of
information that can be disclosed is routine business information which is not subjected to
special protection and may be routinely shared with anyone inside or outside of the business.
If the interviewees have only general questions that ask questions within this range then the
employee may answer all questions.

Another case that Joe could do is to deny the reporters from asking questions about the
government agency where he is working, even if it would develop bad image for the agency
for not complying. Though stated that the questions are general in nature, it is not stated in
what are the various questions the reporters are going to ask. With the help of the Republic
Act. No 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012), which is a policy of a state to protect the fundamental
human right of communication while ensuring free flow of info without the fear of it being
disclosed. The reporters have no right to ask information from the employee if ever the general
questions are confidential.

The last case is if the employee Joe will answer all questions but must first ask permission
from the agency where he works. Confidential information are sensitive information where
access is restricted and may involve information about individuals within the agency or to the
business itself. The said information shall be kept within the agency until approved by the head
of the government to be disclosed to outside parties, unauthorized use of information is a
criminal offense and may be punishable by fines and prison sentence depending on the severity
of punishments in the state.
 B. Supporting Related Case

C. Ethical Issues and Ethical Perspectives

III. Proposed Actions and Recommendations

 CASE
STUDY
REPORT
“Disclosure of Information”

Courtney Denise S. Mayor

Pauline Grace T. Martirez
Paul P. Henriques
Jim A. Andal