The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has stated they are proud to support a universally agreed set of principles aimed at promoting ethical conduct in public relations, as mentioned previously.
The initiative – led by the Global Alliance – is backed by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) and the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA).
As a member of the Global Alliance, the CIPR has supported the project since its inception and encourages PR professionals from across the world to adhere to the principles.
The 16 principles are deemed universal and fundamental to public relations practice and communication management. They are:
Guiding principles
- Working in the public interest
- Obeying laws and respect diversity and local customs
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom of media
- Honesty, truth and fact-based communication
- Integrity
- Transparency and disclosure
- Privacy
Principles of professional practice
- Commitment to continuous learning and training
- Avoiding conflict of interest
- Advocating for the profession
- Respect and fairness in dealing with publics
- Expertise without guarantee of results beyond capacity
- Behaviours that enhance the profession
- Professional conduct
This is a powerful expression of what the industry can achieve when it speaks with one voice. The universally agreed principles will help us embed ethics at the heart of PR practice.
As a member of the Global Alliance, we are proud to champion the highest standards of ethical practice and believe this is an important step towards improving ethical standards of public relations across the world.
Jean Valin Hon FCIPR, Principal of Valin Strategic Communications added:
As communicators and public relations professionals, we have the potential to influence economies and individuals. This carries obligations and responsibilities to society and to organisations. Ethics must be at the core of our activity. In our world of fake news and concerns over privacy as artificial intelligence ramps us, we are at an ethical crossroads. There is no public relations/communication profession without ethics.
