Problem: Felicia Robinson is running for school board in a large eastern city. Her opponent is conducting what Felicia regards as a highly unethical campaign. In addition to twisting the facts about school taxes, the opponent is pandering to racial prejudice by raising resentment against African Americans and newly arrived immigrants. Five days before the election, Felicia, who is slightly behind in the polls, learns that the district attorney is preparing to indict her opponent for shady business practices. But the indictment will not be formally issued until after the election. Nor can it be taken as evidence that her opponent is guilty-like all citizens, he has the right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Still, news of the indictment could be enough to throw the election Felicia's way, and her advisers urge her to make it an issue in her remaining campaign speeches.
1. Is it ethical for Felicia to release this information?
2. If you were in Felicia's position, would you release this information?
3. Even if you said no to question number 2, how would you release this information if you were forced to?