Public Relations Ethics

Ethical PR principles

Make sure your PR reflects the ethics of your business – and be clear on your PR principles. For example, choosing not to make negative comments about customers, competitors or suppliers will strengthen your credibility and reduce risks of damage to your reputation. Consider these ethical PR tips:

• Stay honest and consistent with your messages. Consumers can easily spot double standards, distortions and hypocritical statements.
• Never pay for good PR. PR trades on independent, third-party reports, stories and information. Paying for good press breaches the standards of PR practice.
• PR consultants offer services, information and advice that can help you position your business.
• Don’t fight your competitors in public. Keeping your criticisms and disagreements with your competitors and suppliers out of the spotlight shows good grace and keeps your PR professional.

Ethics Case Studies

• Educators’ Case Studies
• General Case Studies

Best Practices

• PRSA Chapter Ethics Programs 2002 Best Practices
• PRSA Chapter Ethics Programs