Transcript PR - 7
Chapter Seven:
Ethics and the
Law
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Overview
What Are Ethics?
The Role of Professional Organizations
Ethical Dealings with the Media
Public Relations and the Law
Protecting Employee Privacy
Copyright and Trademark Law
Government Regulatory Agencies
Free Speech and Liability
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Defining Ethics
“How we should live our lives”
Right/Wrong
Fair/Unfair
Caring/Uncaring
Good/Bad
Responsible/Irresponsible
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Value Orientations
Absolutist
Existentialist
Situationalist
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Professional Codes: PRSA
Responsible advocacy
Honesty
Professional expertise
Independence
Loyalty to employer/public interest
Fairness
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Individual Ethics
“To thine own self
be true”
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Ethical Media Relations
Total
honesty
Gifts
to journalists
Transparency
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Legal Issues
Conspiracy
Defamation
Corporations
are “public figures”
Avoiding Libel Suits
Fair Comment Defense
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Protecting Employees
Invasion of privacy in newsletters
Using photos for promotion requires
permission
Disclosure of personnel information
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Copyright
Protects
presentation, not information
Filing for copyright
Protection
Life
of creator + 70 years
95 years for corporate copyrights
Fair
use
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Trademarks
“Word, symbol, or slogan, that identifies
product’s origins”
Protection
Ensure
proper use
Educate employees and monitor media
Use trademark
Misappropriation of personality
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Government Agencies
Federal Trade Commission
Securities and Exchange Committee
Fair
Disclosure
Sarbanes-Oxley
Food and Drug Administration
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
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Free Speech
Corporate Speech
Employee Speech
Rights
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Liability Issues
Open
Houses and Plant Tours
Promotional
Events
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