September is ethics month, and there’s much to be said about ethics in public relations. Public relations professionals and companies often get a bad rep for ‘spinning’ information, so IU PRSSA wants to highlight and emphasize PRSA’s Code of Ethics.
We encourage members to take the public relations ethics pledge, and to always keep this code in mind when making important decisions within a public relations career. As future professionals we may encounter ethical dilemmas in our internships and student organizations, so remember that PRSSA provides multiple resources for ethical decision making. Download PRSA’s free mobile application to ensure that you always have a resource to go to during an ethical dilemma.
If you want to test your ethics knowledge, take PRSA’s ethics quiz here and discover how much you truly know about ethics in PR.
PRSA Code of Ethics: Preamble
This Code applies to PRSA members. The Code is designed to be a useful guide for PRSA members as they carry out their ethical responsibilities. This document is designed to anticipate and accommodate, by precedent, ethical challenges that may arise. The scenarios outlined in the Code provision are actual examples of misconduct. More will be added as experience with the Code occurs.
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is committed to ethical practices. The level of public trust PRSA members seek, as we serve the public good, means we have taken on a special obligation to operate ethically.
The value of member reputation depends upon the ethical conduct of everyone affiliated with the Public Relations Society of America. Each of us sets an example for each other – as well as other professionals – by our pursuit of excellence with powerful standards of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
Emphasis on enforcement of the Code has been eliminated. But, the PRSA Board of Directors retains the right to bar from membership or expel from the Society any individual who has been or is sanctioned by a government agency or convicted in a court of law of an action that fails to comply with the Code.
Ethical practice is the most important obligation of a PRSA member. We view the Member Code of Ethics as a model for other professions, organizations, and professionals.
PRSA Member Statement of Professional Values
This statement presents the core values of PRSA members and, more broadly, of the public relations profession. These values provide the foundation for the Member Code of Ethics and set the industry standard for the professional practice of public relations. These values are the fundamental beliefs that guide our behaviors and decision-making process. We believe our professional values are vital to the integrity of the profession as a whole.
ADVOCACY
We serve the public interest by acting as responsible advocates for those we represent. We provide a voice in the marketplace of ideas, facts, and viewpoints to aid informed public debate.
HONESTY
We adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and truth in advancing the interests of those we represent and in communicating with the public.
EXPERTISE
We acquire and responsibly use specialized knowledge and experience. We advance the profession through continued professional development, research, and education. We build mutual understanding, credibility, and relationships among a wide array of institutions and audiences.
INDEPENDENCE
We provide objective counsel to those we represent. We are accountable for our actions.
LOYALTY
We are faithful to those we represent, while honoring our obligation to serve the public interest.
FAIRNESS
We deal fairly with clients, employers, competitors, peers, vendors, the media, and the general public. We respect all opinions and support the right of free expression.
The Beth Wood Chapter of PRSSA at Indiana University 