Ethics In Public Relations--A Guide to Best Practice

Patricia J Parsons

the Institute of Public Relations

IPR

KOGAN PAGE

Publisher's note

Every possible effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate at the time of going to press, and the publishers and author cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions, however caused. No responsibility for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting, or refraining from action, as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the editor, the publisher or the author.

First published in Great Britain and the United States in 2004 by Kogan Page Limited

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms and licences issued by the CLA. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside these terms should be sent to the publishers at the undermentioned addresses:

120 Pentonville Road
London N1 9JN
United Kingdom
http://www.kogan-page.co.uk

22883 Quicksilver Drive
Sterling VA 20166-2012
USA

Copyright 2004 Patricia J Parsons,

The right of Patricia J Parsons to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

0-7494-4276-X

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Parsons, Patricia J
Ethics in public relations: a guide to best practice/Patricia J. Parsons,
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0-7494-4276-X
1. Public relations ”Moral and ethical aspects. 2. Public relations ”Management. I. Title.
HD59.P3548 2004
174 ² .96572 ”dc22

2004009943

About the Institute of Public Relations

The Institute of Public Relations (IPR) is the eyes, ears and voice of the UK public relations industry. Founded in 1948, it develops skills, raises PR standards, rewards excellence, supports its members and gives public relations a voice at the highest levels.

With over 7,500 members, the IPR is the largest professional body of its kind in Europe. Membership is based on high standards of practice and all members adhere to an ethical code of conduct. The Institute specializes in PR training, including conferences and seminars , and is dedicated to advancing the PR profession. It runs two professional qualifications, the IPR Diploma and the Advanced Certificate in Public Relations, and accredits over 20 degree courses throughout the country. IPR members can also take part in ˜Developing Excellence , the only life-long learning scheme specifically designed for PR practitioners in the United Kingdom.

For more information about the IPR visit http://www.ipr.org.uk or e-mail info @ipr.org.uk.

About the Author

Patricia J Parsons is Associate Professor and past chair of the Department of Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She currently teaches courses in strategy and managing organizational public relations, and public relations ethics to undergraduates. She also provides a consultative practice in healthcare communication and PR through her consultancy, Biomedical Communications Inc.

About the Consultant Editor

Anne Gregory , FIPR, is Director of the Centre for Public Relations at Leeds Metropolitan University and the UK's only full-time Professor of Public Relations. Originally a broadcast journalist , Anne spent 10 years in public relations practice at senior levels both in-house and in consultancy before moving on to an academic career. Anne is President of the Institute of Public Relations in 2004. She initiated and edits the IPR's Public Relations in Practice series of books and is managing editor of the Journal of Communication Management .

Anne is actively involved in PR practice, being a non-Executive Director of South West Yorkshire NHS Mental Health Trust with special responsibility for finance and communication. She is also a practicing public relations consultant and trainer.