Analysis of PRSA's Code of Ethics

Public Relations Society of America(PRSA) which is the largest network group of Publics Relations professional in the country. There are chapters all across the United States of America. The members created the PRSA's Code of Ethics, which gave guidelines b what the professionals should lead their practice and conduct themselves in their services and counsel. “These values are the fundamental beliefs that guide our behaviors and decision making process. We believe our professional values are vital to the integrity of the profession as a whole” (Hayes, Hendrix, & Kumar, 2012, p.414). The six professional values are Advocacy, Honest, Expertise, Independence, Loyalty and Fairness.

Under the PRSA's Code of Ethics, there is also the Code of provisions which outlines the items to be aware of and that takes precedence when doing your work as a PR professional.  These code of provisions created are free flow of information, competition, disclosure of information, safeguarding confidences, conflicts of interest, and enhancing the profession.

These values are great business practices and the expectations that is instilled in public relations professional. If one were to follow the PRSA's Code of Ethics, then they will earn the trust of their clients and companies and create a great reputation for themselves. 

My Personal Code of Ethics is how I live my life on the daily basis and it is seen in the way I conduct my life as a working professional and in my personal relationships.  While I do admire the PRSA's Code of Ethics and I do personally think it is critical to possess for success, I added on my own personal code of ethics that I believe stream line incredibly well with the PRSA's Code of Ethics.  My Code of Ethics contain  being trustworthy, having discretion, effectively communicating, having boldness, honesty,  and equal treatment.

1.) Being Trustworthy
Gaining the trust from your clients and company is crucial to have a successful project or campaign. It is what can create future opportunities and create  your reputation as a professional and build your relationships stronger in your personal life.

2.) Having Discretion
It is important to be able to decipher what information needs to be disclosed to who or does it even need to be disclosed at all. This goes hand in hand with being trustworthy. This will create and build better relationships over the course of time.“Client trust requires appropriate protection of confidential and private information” (Hayes, Hendrix, & Kumar, 2012, p.417).

3.)Effectively Communicating
Communication is a core part of life not only in the public relations but in life as a whole. With my husband, family, friends and in my work life having effective communication is the key to successful relationships and is the connecting domino piece in making sure people are on the same page.

4.) Having Boldness
Sometimes calling out what is right is not always easy. So being bold is essential in order to do what is right, even if it is not the popular choice. Jesus Christ carried this trait and it was evident because He did not care what others thought of him, just his Father's viewpoint.

5.) Honesty
People want to be able to trust and believe in who you are. My relationship with my husband is built on honesty because if were weren't truthful with one another our relationship would crumble. Being Honest is applicable to all my relationships that I carry in my life.“So also honesty seem necessary for human relations wherever they exist” (MacKinnon, 2015, p.155).

6.) Equal Treatment
It is important to recognize that everyone comes from all different paths of life. It is important to understand people's experiences and show compassion to other people's backgrounds and situations. It is the beauty of America and why it is considered to be the melting pot of the world.


References

Hayes, D., Hendrix, J., & Kumar, P. (2012). Public Relations Cases. (9 Ed.) New York, NY:       

Wadsworth-Cengage.

MacKinnon, B. (2015). Ethics: theory and contemporary issues. (2nd edition) Wadsworth

Publisher, Boston, MA.