In a world that sometimes seems to have forgotten the concept of common courtesy, now, more than ever, the public relations profession has shifted back to the focus of ethics. Common misunderstandings of PR like “it’s all about spin” or “they’ll say anything to look good in front of the press” are just that: misunderstandings.
September is PRSA ethics month and public relations professionals everywhere are reminded to “Act Ethically and Carry On.” So what does this mean in the world of PR? Best practices include “truth, accuracy, fairness, and responsibility to the public” (prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Ethics/CodeEnglish/).
When it comes down to it, it’s simply a matter of doing the right thing. And at Crossroads, that’s what we’re all about: representing our clients in a real and authentic manner. What we do is not about covering up issues, but instead is about communicating open and honestly. We make decisions based on what’s right.
To me personally, being ethical means that I have values and standards. I think about the consequences of my actions and am concerned about the well-being of others.
So now I have to ask, what do ethics mean to you? Join in on the conversation with the hashtag #PRethics.
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