Prophetic Communication Ethics as a Foundation for Morality in the Public Sphere

Abstract

Prophetic communication is a process of information exchange that aims not merely for message effectiveness but also constitutes a form of moral responsibility for the communicator—one that must be accounted for before God. Ethics serves as the moral foundation for a communicator driven by a spirit of humanization aimed at transcendence. Consequently, the success of prophetic communication is measured not only by the effectiveness and efficiency of message delivery—as is the case with conventional communication—but also by its alignment with ethical and moral values ​​and its grounding in truth. Through a qualitative literature review, Kuntowijoyo identified three pillars of prophetic communication: humanization, liberation, and transcendence. Each pillar is then analyzed in the context of realities within the public sphere. Unlike daily life, which is structured by existing societal norms, the digital-era public sphere requires a framework to manage its rapid communication patterns. The ethics of prophetic communication encompass six elements: the concept of public-sphere morality, communicator honesty and credibility, social responsibility in message delivery, the avoidance of hoaxes and hate speech, tabayyun (verification of information), and the cultivation of an ethical communication culture. The integration of the public sphere concept and the culture of ethical communication contributes significantly to the development of a prophetic communication paradigm one that is not only effective in message delivery but also oriented toward fostering a civilized, inclusive, and just society.