Ethics and PR

Are they a thing of the past?

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”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lockheed Martin Unprecedented

commitment to ethics• Aims to set the standard

Mailer addressing there commitment to• honesty• integrity• respect• trust• responsibility• citizenship

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

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

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

Ethics in Public Relations