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PR Ethics and Law
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Transparency
In PR, transparency refers to the practice of being open, communicative, and accountable. It is key for building trust with the public and stakeholders.
Defamation
A legal concept where someone makes a false, harmful statement about another person or entity. In PR, ensuring all communications are truthful protects against defamation lawsuits.
Copyright Law
Protects creators' original work from unauthorized use. In PR, respecting copyrights means not using copyrighted material without permission in campaigns or materials.
Privacy Rights
Individuals have rights to privacy that must be respected. In PR, this means not disclosing personal information without consent and being cautious with data collection and storage.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Regulations
FTC enforces laws against deceptive advertising. In PR, this means ensuring that all promotional content is honest and substantiated to avoid legal issues.
Public Interest
Ethical concept focusing on the common good or welfare of the community. PR practitioners should consider public interest when crafting messages and strategies.
Intellectual Property Rights
Rights given to persons over the creations of their minds. In PR, respecting IP includes not using others' ideas or branding without permission.
Conflict of Interest
Occurs when a PR professional has competing professional or personal interests. Ethically, these conflicts should be disclosed and managed to maintain trust.
Free Speech
The right to express opinions without censorship or restraint. In PR, balancing free speech with responsible communication is crucial to avoid harm or legal issues.
Disclosure of Material Information
Legally and ethically, companies must disclose information that could influence an investor's decision. PR must ensure all material information is fairly communicated.
Equal Opportunity
Refers to the legal obligation to provide fair treatment in employment regardless of race, age, sex, etc. In PR, diversity and equal opportunity can enhance a company’s image and relations.
Consumer Protection Laws
Laws designed to ensure fair trade, competition, and accurate information in the marketplace. PR campaigns must not mislead consumers, aligning with these laws.
Crisis Management
PR strategy to deal with a disruptive and unexpected event that can cause harm. Involves ethical decision-making to maintain integrity and public trust during crises.
Public Domain
Refers to creative work that is not protected by copyright and can be used freely. PR professionals can use public domain materials without concern for copyright infringement.
Lobbying
The act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government. PR professionals must be transparent about lobbying efforts to maintain ethical standards.
Whistleblowing
The act of exposing any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct. PR must ethically manage whistleblowing to protect the organization's reputation while addressing the issue.
Gifts and Bribery
Offering gifts can be seen as a bribe, an unethical attempt to influence someone's actions. PR professionals should avoid any appearance of impropriety to maintain trust and credibility.
Social Responsibility
The idea that businesses should contribute to the welfare of society. In PR, promoting a company's social responsibility can enhance its reputation and public relations.
Professional Ethics Codes
Codes of ethics provide guidelines for professional conduct. In PR, following organizations like PRSA's Code of Ethics is essential for maintaining industry standards.
Fair Use Doctrine
Allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like criticism or education. PR must ensure their content qualifies for fair use to avoid infringement.
Astroturfing
The practice of creating a false impression of grassroots support. Ethically, PR should avoid astroturfing as it can damage credibility and trust if discovered.
Greenwashing
Misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product. PR should accurately represent a company's environmental efforts to avoid greenwashing.
Truth in Advertising
Legal requirement that advertisements must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence. PR professionals must verify that all ad content meets these standards.
Sponsorship Disclosure
Legally, any material connections between a sponsor and endorser must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed. In PR, this means being transparent about relationships and sponsorships with influencers and others.
Endorsement Guidelines
FTC guidelines state that endorsements must reflect the honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences of the endorser. PR must ensure endorsers' statements are genuine and conform to these guidelines.
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