Ethics in Public Relations
A code of ethics is a formalized set of rules governing how members of a particular organization, industry, or profession are expected to behave.
Different organizations have different approaches to public relations ethics. Some clearly take ethical behavior more seriously than others. Here are a few links to several public relations codes of ethics. See what you think about the differences between approaches.
Different organizations have different approaches to public relations ethics. Some clearly take ethical behavior more seriously than others. Here are a few links to several public relations codes of ethics. See what you think about the differences between approaches.
- Ethical Issues Confronting PR Practitioners from Small Business Chronicle
- Public Relations Society of America's Member Code of Ethics
- International Public Relations Association Code of Conduct
- My favorite public relations organization is the Institute for Public Relations. Here is what they have to say about Ethics and Public Relations
Front Groups and PR Ethics
Front groups are organizations that are set-up and operated by another organization. They appear to represent one set of interests but disguise their real agendas and affiliations. Front groups are designed to advocate for a set of interests but do so without revealing who they really represent. For example, Americans for Medical Progress appears to represent medical schools research institutions but it is really organized and run by representatives from pharmaceutical companies, animal testing centers, and the animal breeding industry.
A front group plays a significant role in shaping legislation in the documentary Toxic Hot Seat. In addition, if you google search for the documentary, the first paid advertising result is called flameretardantfacts.com, which appears to be a front group for the American Chemistry Council, which is itself a front group for a number of the leading chemical manufacturing corporations.
A front group plays a significant role in shaping legislation in the documentary Toxic Hot Seat. In addition, if you google search for the documentary, the first paid advertising result is called flameretardantfacts.com, which appears to be a front group for the American Chemistry Council, which is itself a front group for a number of the leading chemical manufacturing corporations.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Precise definitions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) vary according to perspective. A useful way to think of it, though, is private business self-regulation aligning corporate practices with public concerns regarding social and environmental impacts. In other words, business employ CSR voluntarily, not because of laws or regulations. In the article What is Corporate Social Responsibility?, Business News Daily offers a fairly thorough exploration of the concept.
CSR is actually a contentious issues. Like its definitions, views of CSR vary across disciplines and perspectives. These differences are driven by such questions as what is a responsible practice and to whom or what is a corporation responsible. While socially responsible practices might seem straight forward, competing corporate interests make the practice tricky.
CSR is actually a contentious issues. Like its definitions, views of CSR vary across disciplines and perspectives. These differences are driven by such questions as what is a responsible practice and to whom or what is a corporation responsible. While socially responsible practices might seem straight forward, competing corporate interests make the practice tricky.
Two ways to think about CSR
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Food for Thought
Does your opinion on CSR differ according to the industry? Do you feel the same about CSR in the arms industry where companies are make military weapons, including mines and missiles, and sell them for profit? Check out the documentary below to better understand the issues.
Flying the Flag, Arming the World
Capitalism and CSRThis article is a great basic description of capitalism especially written for students.
If you want more in depth analysis of market capitalism, Nobel Prize winning economist, Joseph Stiglitz,explains it in this video.
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Two Views of CSRDo profits lead to ethics? Or does purpose produce profits? Should profits play a role in CSR?
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A Focus on CSR and EmployeesDo businesses have a social responsibility toward their employees? Should business consider emotions and stress on employees?
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A New Take on CSRShould marketing departments be in charge of CSR? If not, who should? What role should CSR play in business?
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