Ethics

Code of Professional Standards for the Practice of Public Relations

These articles have been adopted by the Public Relations Society of America to promote and maintain high standards of public service and ethical conduct among its members.

1. A member shall conduct his or her professional life in accord with the public interest.
2. A member shall exemplify high standards of honesty and integrity while carrying out dual obligations to clients or employees and the democratic process.
3. A member shall deal fairly with the public, with past or present clients or employers, and with fellow practitioners, giving the due respect to the ideal of free inquiry and to the opinions of others.
4. A member shall adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and truth, avoiding extravagant claims or unfair comparisons and giving credit for ideas and words borrowed from others.
5. A member shall not knowingly disseminate false and misleading information and shall act promptly to correct erroneous communications for which he or she is responsible.
6. A member shall not engage in any practice which has the purpose of corrupting the integrity of channels of communication of the process of government.
7. A member shall be prepared to identify publicly the name of a client or employer on whose behalf public communication is made.
8. A member shall not use any individual or organization professing to serve or represent an announced cause, or professing to be independent or unbiased, but actually serving another or undisclosed interest.
9. A member shall not guarantee the achievement of specified results beyond the member’s direct control.
10. A member shall represent conflicting or competing interests without the express consent of those concerned, given after a full disclosure of the facts.
11. A member shall not place himself or herself in a position where the member’s personal interest is, or may be, in conflict with an obligation to an employer, client or others, without full disclosure of such interest to all involved.
12. A member shall not accept fees, commissions, gifts of any other consideration from anyone except clients or employers for whom services are performed with their express consent, given after a full disclosure of the facts.
13. A member shall scrupulously safeguard the confidences and privacy rights of present, former and prospective clients or employers.
14. A member shall not intentionally damage the professional reputation or practice of another practitioner.
15. If a member has evidence that another member has been guilty of unethical, illegal or unfair practices, including those in violation of this Code, the member is obligated to present the information promptly to the proper authorities of the society for action in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article XII of the Bylaws.
16. A member called as a witness in a proceeding for enforcement of the Code is obligated to appear, unless excused for sufficient reason by the judicial panel.
17. A member shall, as soon as possible, sever relations with any organization or individual if such relationship requires conduct contrary to the articles of this Code.

Please contact Michael Cleary for more information.