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Communication Overtones Comments

$\"Gravatar\"$ So glad to see this focus coming from the national conference environment, Kami -- even if it did come at 4:30 in the morning! Yikes!

Before the Web, professional associations focused on ethical issues almost obsessively. Then, somewhere in the mid-90s, we became equally obsessed with things digital and pushed much of the \"values\" discussion aside. It's great to celebrate the new toys and the tactics they offer us, but we shouldn't do so at the expense of the core principles.

In my Ethics classes at Kent State, we focus on two concepts: trust and credibility -- the foundation of relationships and the symmetrical model of PR practice. Social media can play a significant role here, as trust grows from meaningful and open conversations. That said, I don't see that conversation happening on Twitter.

Thanks for opening this door just a bit wider on this topic. It deserves a lot more discussion.
Bill Sledzik | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 8:18 am | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Interesting to see both sides are confused. I think this is fascinating given Jonah Bloom, Dan Lyons, etc. The question is can anything be done?
Geoff Livingston | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 10:18 am | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Wow, both Geoff and Bill asking the same question (you two are closer together than you think).

as Bill said, we could use some more focus on ethics, though I have to say, we have an ethics luncheon at the local level every year and it is the least attended. I do know people are excited about the Advocacy program, which addresses some of these things in real time. But, there is no teeth in it.

I wish I knew all of the answers. I know that more can be done, but certainly, short of making it compulsory by law, there will always be bad actors, human nature and all. Can I turn the tables? What do you suggest we do?

How can we make ethics sexy?
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 1:30 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Kami, Thanks for the pointer on the PRSA code. In researching my two posts I did come across the PRSA code and decided to incorporate it into my agency's own.

I've never been a member of PRSA, but just reading the code gives me reason to join.
Lou Covey | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 4:43 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ I feel that way too Lou, of course, if no one reads it...still, I am really glad we have it, it has informed my career.
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 5:09 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Until now I had only learned examples of good ethics in class, but had never read the actual PRSA code of ethics. This is scary because some people, like Kami suggested, haven't ever read the code and maybe were never taught. It seems like it would be easy for a person to be unethical given man's desire to pull ahead and be successful. There was also an example about getting gifts for writing favorably. I think it would be so easy to take the presents. It's often hard to stay objective in the first place, and if a person has no moral convictions, the code may not be followed at all. How do you incorporate this code into a company's everyday activities?
sarahL | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 6:53 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ To Lou's point on incorporating the PRSA Code into his agency's, I recall some years ago Joe Epley (former PRSA president) doing same, and requiring all employees to buy in, PRSA members or not. Joe went a step further, adding the code to contracts signed with clients. As part of the agreement, the client agreed not to ask Epley employees to do anything in violation of the code. That's a cool way to spread the gospel.

And you're right, Kami. Our local chapters do a program on ethics every year, and attendance is generally not so hot. How do we rekindle interest?
Bill Sledzik | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 8:57 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Let's think some about it. I like the ethics of online communication, plenty of new case studies there. I think it needs to be real to people. I also like the idea of participating in advocacy at the local level. I serve as the local PRSA advocacy chair, but would like to be more active in calling stuff out. We recently had a board member go on record in the local paper about an incident happening here. You can read the article here.

To wit,

\"Following an Express-News column by Rick Casey on Connolly's role in the uproar, the then-president of the Public Relations Society of America's local chapter blasted Connolly's actions in an unpublished letter to the editor, provided by retired PR man Charles Kenworthey.

\"Blackmail is not an accepted or approved tactic by the (PRSA), and those of us who are members of this profession are insulted by a person who would stoop to such practices and call it public relations,\" Christie Goodman wrote.\"

And just to be clear here, the Connolly in question is TJ Connolly
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 10.22.07 - 10:12 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Hi, Kami!
Hope you're having fun at the conference!

Aileen
Aileen | 10.23.07 - 9:30 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Thank you for posting this. I think it is a great idea for all PR practitioners to read the code of ethics. It's a nice refresher for those who have been in the business for a while and an excellent resource for those just starting out.
Cathy Baradell | Homepage | 10.24.07 - 12:14 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Aileen; so cool to see you here in the comments, and you too Cathy.

Also Cathy; Will be thinking about you over the next few weeks.

Yes, it is good to take a look at these and be reminded.
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 10.24.07 - 3:50 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ I appreciate this post so much! I am so glad that someone is focusing on something so important that often gets overlooked. I think it is important for PR practitioners and journalists to have a humiity check every once and a while and realize that maybe they should glance at the Code of Ethics occasionally. I would imagine even the straightest of arrows would be tempted to stray if the right opportunity presented itself. The best that we can do is to try and keep each other accountable.
Elizabeth | Homepage | 10.26.07 - 3:11 am | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ What a great survey to perform. It's good to see that out of all the opinion polls and which do you prefer surveys out there, some are still focusing on truly important information. The results, however, were pretty scary. I think it's very important for journalists and pr practitioners to take a look at their code of ethics once in a while, just to help keep things in perspective. With some of the stereotypes about journalism (an industry that will say anything to promote fear and make a buck) and public relations(the people who are trying to manipulate the public for the sake of their client), these really are two industries that can't afford to lose sight of their code of ethics.
Josh | Homepage | 10.26.07 - 10:40 am | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Elizabeth/Josh; Thanks for coming by and adding your voice to this.

It is true that we are all very human and make mistakes. Also, we want to please our clients. However, it is critical that we do it all within ethical guidelines. It is easier said than done though. Sometimes it might means giving up some money or resigning a client. I have seen many brave and exemplary people do just that, and have done it myself, but have no illusions - it is not always easy to do the right thing.
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 10.26.07 - 10:46 am | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ I have always thought of ethics as common sense- just do the right thing. However, the boundaries of the \"right thing\" are often blurred, especially in the PR world. On a recent test I had I was asked to list a single article from the PRSA Code of Ethics. It was easy for me to recall one because with every PR class I take I am referred to the Code of Ethics. I now am wondering how likely I would be to go back and revisit the code after I graduate and no longer have a teacher telling me to do so. Apparently, not so many people do. I feel like I am told to always keep my AP Style book by my side, now perhaps I'll carry along the Code!
Kathryn | Homepage | 10.30.07 - 5:58 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Kathryn; Life does have a way with intervening in the best intentions.
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 10.30.07 - 9:07 pm | #

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