Ethics in Public Relations: Relevance in Contemporary Society

1. Ethics and PR Are they a thing of the past?

2. Ethics Considerations and Recent Events • Politics • Lincoln bedroom and whether or not it is for rent • Whitewater • Monica Lewinsky • Journalism • NBC and GM • Wal-Mart, Kathie Lee and “Buy American”

3. Ethics in Society • Standards that are followed in relationships with others - the real integrity of the individual or organization • is it seeking the greatest happiness for the greatest number? • Mill’s Principle of Utility

4. Are Ethics Decisions Strictly Personal? • Code of Professional Standards of the Public Relations Society of America • practitioners must be scrupulously honest and trustworthy • act in the public interest • Goal - to enhance public trust of an organization

5. Professional Standards for the Practice of PR • Conduct your professional life in accord with the public interest • exemplify high standards of honesty and integrity • Deal fairly with the public • shall adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and truth • Not knowingly disseminate false or misleading information

6. Professional Standards for the Practice of PR • Shall not engage in any practice that corrupts the integrity of channels of communication • be ready to identify publicly the name of the organization (client or employer) on whose behalf a public communication is launched • Should not serve unannounced purposes • Shall not guarantee the achievement of specific results beyond your control

7. Professional Standards for the Practice of PR • Not represent competing interests without expressed consent of those parties involved • member shall not place himself in a position of personal interest is or may be placed in conflict • safeguard confidences • not intentionally damage the professional reputation or practice of another practitioner

8. Professional Standards for the Practice of PR • Members shall sever all relationships with organizations or parties that do not adhere to said practices of the code • obligation to report offenders to the professional society • members shall not accept fees, commissions or gifts from others except clients or employers for whom services are performed

9. Ethics in Business • Is this an oxymoron? • Tobacco, Michael Milken, insider trading • 1987 former SEC head donated $23 million to begin an ethics program at Harvard • Critical that the CEO and management demonstrate a commitment to ethics

10. Business, Competition and Ethics • Recent research demonstrates that 63% of surveyed business leaders feel that adherence to ethical practices leads to strengthened competitive positions • 14% believed that ethics could weaken position

11. Corporate Codes of Conduct • To increase public confidence • To stem the tide of regulation • cost to society $100 billion • To improve internal operations • To respond to transgressions

12. Lockheed Martin • Unprecedented commitment to ethics • Aims to set the standard • Mailer addressing there commitment to • honesty • integrity • respect • trust • responsibility • citizenship

13. Corporate Social Responsibility • Touches every level of the organization • Product Lines • Marketing Practices • Employee Services • training, placement, counseling, diversity • Corporate Philanthropy • Environmental Concerns • Employee Safety

14. Ethics in Government • Sleaze Factor • let’s compete on dirt vs. issues • Special Prosecutors • Personal vs. Job Related Morals • Specific Examples of Problems • Iran-Contra - Bush and Reagan • Keating and S&L’s • Clinton and travelgate, Whitewater, Lewinsky

15. Ethics in Journalism • Should not communicate unofficial charges affecting reputation or moral character • guard against invasion of privacy • not pander to morbid curiosity about vice or crime

16. Ethics in Public Relations