PRSA Code of Ethics

Like many organizations, the Public Relations Society of America has a code of professional standards and ethics for the practice of public relations. The PRSA Code outlines universal values that promote and encourage ethical behavior. Rather than focusing on enforcement of the code, the PRSA focuses more on giving PR professionals guidelines and motivation to guide themselves.

The Code lists the values PR professionals are expected to have as well as the principles derived from those values to guide conduct. The values are: Advocacy, Honesty, Expertise, Independence, Loyalty, and Fairness. These values may appear as just words on the surface, but the Code does a great job of explaining and defining exactly what the values mean.

The Code also givens provisions and list the core principles. The Code does a good job of giving a description of the principle, listing the intent for adopting the principle, and the Code helpfully gives examples of how misconduct can occur when these principles are not adopted.

The principles are: Free Flow of Information, Competition, Disclosure of Information, Safeguarding Confidences, Conflict of Interest, and Enhancing the Profession.

Trust is crucial to many professions and especially in the business of communications. Adhering to the values and principles of the PRSA Code will help a professional remain professional and maintain the respect and dignity needed not only in the Public Relations field, but any profession. It is up to every member of the PR profession and the PRSA to adapt and use the Code to guide their conduct. The Code promotes accountability and personal responsibility in each individual member. These qualities are crucial to being dignified and respected.