Codes of Ethics
The code of ethics refers to a set of guidelines that are designed to aid professionals to carry out their business activities with integrity and honesty. Consequently, they help employees understand what is wrong or right by applying the required knowledge and make crucial business decisions (McCoy, 2020). The ethical codes are usually outlined in a document that shows how professionals should solve problems, have moral values based on the core values of the organization and promote organization’s mission and vision(Doorley,2020). This paper compares and contrasts the code of ethics from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Therefore, the paper will make considerations on whether there are provisions by either code that ought to be revised or strengthened.
Moreover, the two codes of ethics display some similarities and differences despite both being renown in matters of public relations among organizations in the related industry. Notably, both advocate for fairness and a sense of truth which are crucial in the public relations field (McCoy, 2020). Subsequently, both IABC and PRSA advocate for the conveyance of correct and accurate information by an individual or organization when communicating to the public. Contrastingly, one main difference is that the IABC, being a global organization, has clearly stated that communication must be legal and should pay attention to cultural beliefs and values (McCoy, 2020). PRSA, since it’s based in the United States of America (USA), it only clarifies the communication ethics to only its members (Doorley,2020). Secondly, they are distinct when situations occur based on expertise. IABC critically focuses on sensitivity to values, cultural differences or beliefs and respect. PRSA, however, does not indicate any “pre-condition” that professionals ought to be experts in their respective fields. Additionally, both codes of ethics hypothesize on having similar values, but they eclipse difference concerning their specific target audiences that they reach through their quest for values.
In line with the two codes of ethics, unethical behaviour is an action which is out of what termed as not morally right. To the two, ethical behaviours are anchored and manifested among good professionals, persons, or industries. According to the PRSA Code of ethics, it is unethical for professions within the USA to be deceptive online, be dishonest in their practices or even upload anonymous internet postings on behalf of their clientele (Doorley,2020). For instance, being employed by a public relations agency, your organization gets hired by a client whose interests are to remain dominant in the technology field.
Notably, your client is facing fierce competition from a more successful technology company that has been developing its products appropriately. Being an expertise in public relations, the task is to secure blogs and reports of how the competitors’ products are ineffective and perform poorly. However, the only basis to support the allegations is some few reports from print media and online reviews. Moreover, the conditions for the contract are that my agency cannot disclose the name of their client. Therefore, according to PRSA, it is unethical to disseminate damaging information with limited proof of accuracy and more so exclude the name of the client when contacting bloggers.
In conclusion, I believe PRSA is seen as a code of ethics that offers guidance in a professional in a practical nature and grooms them towards agency practice (Doorley,2020). The organization should seek to expound more on its clause on disclosure of information since we are living in a democratic society that is experiencing tremendous growth in Technology. Notably, IABC is viewed to focus more on general moral values and principles such as respect, loyalty, and honesty. However, it should expound on its code of ethics for practising professionals to ensure workers uphold their code of ethics proficiently.
References
Doorley, J., & Garcia, H. F. (2020). Reputation management: The key to successful public relations and corporate communication. Routledge.
McCoy, L. (2020). In this chapter. Public Relations: Theory and Practice, 19.