As a new public relations practitioner, you may find yourself in situations where you are not sure what to do, or worse, you know that what you are being asked to do is unethical.
This quick list will help to learn the basics of ethical PR practices and provide a variety of resources to ensure that you start and maintain your career with a focus on practicing ethical standards.
You have a responsibility to uphold the professionalism of the PR industry. Your peers, clients, and customers, (including citizens, constituents, and journalists) will hold you to a higher standard. Make sure that you are meeting their expectations in your daily practice.
Topics, ideas, and values that you need to be keenly aware of if you are going to call yourself a public relations professional are:
Professional Values
Advocacy
Honesty
Expertise
Independence
Loyalty
Fairness
Free Flow of Information
Competition
Disclosure of Information
Safeguarding Confidences
Conflicts of Interest
Enhancing the Profession
Diversity
Steps that you need to take to ensure you are conducting yourself and your business in an ethical manner include:
Continuing to grow professionally and to stay engaged in your own professional development by reading and engaging with a variety of practitioners.
Use knowledge and research to educate your peers and clients on why you practice PR with high ethical standards. Study organizations and read leading articles, such as the following:
