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This document explains ethics in Public Relations (PR), including moral principles, ethical systems, and professional behavior. It highlights PR codes like the PRSA Code of Ethics, the difference between ethical professionals and technicians, and how to handle media and crises honestly. It also covers how public opinion and persuasion should be done with truth, credibility, and respect
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Answer: Ethics in PR refers to the system of moral principles that guide professional behavior. PR ethics help practitioners decide what is right or wrong when communicating with the public, clients, and media. Types of Ethical Systems: โ Absolutist (Judeo-Christian): Morals based on religious teachings. โ Secular Humanism: Strong moral values without religious commitment. โ Utilitarianism: Choosing what benefits the most people. โ Positivism: Society defines what is morally acceptable. Real-Life Examples:
Answer: The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) developed a code to maintain high ethical standards among PR professionals. Key Principles: โ Truth, accuracy, fairness โ Respect for the dignity of all people โ Responsibility to public interest โ Continuous improvement through education Standards Include:
โ Fair treatment of clients and competitors โ Avoiding harmful practices Real-Life Examples:
Answer: Professionals prioritize ethics, while technicians may just โdo the job.โ Ethical PR professionals maintain independence and put public interest first. Traits of a Professional: โ Responsibility to society โ Concern for ethics and standards โ Long-term thinking over short-term gains Real-Life Examples:
Answer: PR professionals face ethical choices daily. Ethics guide honesty, fairness, and respect in communication. Guidelines:
Answer: Clear objectives help guide a PR campaign and evaluate its success. Types of Objectives: โ Informational: Spread knowledge (e.g. launch news) โ Motivational: Change opinions or behaviors (e.g. stop smoking) Evaluation Techniques: โ Media coverage tracking โ Surveys and feedback โ Engagement metrics Real-Life Examples:
Answer: Public opinion is the collective view of a group and is influenced by opinion leaders and media. Key Points: โ PR professionals guide and interpret public opinion. โ Opinion flows from influencers to the masses. โ Media creates awareness, not beliefs. Real-Life Examples:
Answer: A message is more persuasive if the source is credible, expert, and sincere. Credibility Factors: โ Expertise : Do they know the subject? โ Sincerity : Are they trustworthy? โ Charisma : Are they engaging? Real-Life Examples: