On the Corruption of Communication: A Theory of Deception

Abstract

This article elaborates on the issue of communication corruption, namely communicative actions or events that reduce the audience's right to receive messages entirely and correctly, according to normative (objective) and contemplative (subjective) facts. The literature study and reflectivity methods point out at least four main aspects of communication corruption theory: message, media, context, and behavior. This study also proposes a formula to measure and assess the extent to which communication is corrupt, considering communication needs and desires, authority and opportunity, communicative power, audience rights, conscience, and moral responsibility. Three forms of communication are very vulnerable to communication corruption: persuasion, imaging (both in the effort of impression building and impression laundering), and deception. Future studies can use this study as a theoretical and methodological reference. Practically, the findings and propositions of this research are helpful as reflections and guidelines for anticipating and minimizing communication corruption practices in daily and professional activities.