ETHICS

Chapter Six

6-2

What are ethics?

Ethics refers to the values that guide a person, organization, or society—the difference between right and wrong, fairness and unfairness, honesty and dishonesty.

6-3

Ethical decisions are based on

Our moral choices Norms of society Legal principles Organizational values Professional values

6-4

A person’s ethical choices depend on several factors but are not limited to our: Culture callout Religion Education

6-5

Culture, as well as the fields of philosophy and religion, provide the framework for ethics.

Utilitarianism Aristotle's “Golden Mean” Kant’s Categorical Imperative Mill’s principle of utility Judeo-Christian ethic

6-6

These codes of ethics must be:

Monitored Assessed Enforced

6-7

Professional ethics are often referred to as “applied ethics,” a commonly accepted sense of professional conduct that is translated into formal codes of ethics.

6-8

Can you identify some ethical dilemmas confronting society? Clue: Cultural, Religious, Business,

Government, Political, Media

6-9

PRSA Code of Ethics

See text, Figure 6-1

Advocacy

Honesty

Expertise

Independence

Loyalty

6-10

Public Relations Society of Americaand the International Association of Business Communicators both have codes of ethics that govern the practice of public relations.

Honesty and fairness are stressed.

6-11

Can you name the dirty deed with the corporation in these white collar crimes?EnronArthur AndersenWorld ComAdelphia CommunicationsTycoMartha Stewart

C

6-12

The Corporate Reform Bill was signed to impose rigorous sanctions on corporate criminalsby President Bush.

6-13

A question to ponder…

Can ethics and profits co-exist?

6-14

What leaders in your opinion have high credibility? International/National Federal/State/Local government Business Community

6-15

Corporate Codes of Conduct are needed to: Increase public confidence Stem the tide of regulation Improve internal operations Respond to transgressions

6-16

What is corporate social responsibility? A social norm that holds that any social

institution is responsible for the behavior of its members and may be held accountable for their misdeeds.

6-17

Social Responsibility Categories

Product lines Marketing practices Corporate philanthropy Environmental activities External relations Employment diversity in retaining and promoting

minorities and women Employee safety and health

6-18

Ethics in Government

Can you identify the name to the political transgression hall of shame?Gary ConditJames TraficantDick MorrisRobert Torricelli

6-19

Code of Ethics for the Society of Professional Journalists

Call out text fig. 6-6 pg.144

6-20

What are some issues that have cropped up with regard to ethics in journalism?

Clue: Sources, Bogus stories,Not crediting properly

6-21

Some of the areas of concern:

Internet journalism Reality Television TV bogus News programs Print journalism scandals

6-22

Four Relevant Ethical Theories:

Attorney/adversary model by Barney and Black

Two-way Communication model by Grunig Enlightened self-interest model by Baker Responsible Advocacy model by

Fitzpatrick and Gauthier

6-23

Six Core Values of the PRSA Code

Advocacy Honesty Expertise Interdependence Loyalty Fairness

6-24

Professional practice must be based on the code of ethics

Social responsibilityOrganizational values