
Burston-Marstellar, WorldCom, Enron, Exxon, Southwest---All are companies that have in a small way or in a much larger way had corporate ethic issues. In fact there is quite a long list of companies that have problems with Business Ethics.
But there is another list with companies that have high ethical standards and do not bend their values and morals for a profit. Unfortunately those companies are a bit harder to find.
Communications professionals face a whole new set of issues when it comes to ethics.
In previous decades PR professionals are only seen as spin doctors, basically liars for their company, saying what the company tells them to say and not giving the truth to the consumer/customer. In previous decades those reports and bias were not without some backing. Many PR professionals did indeed doctor the truth and basically said what they were supposed to say in order to keep their jobs.
Nowadays it’s a different story—
1. You can be fired if you are found to be telling something that is false or hiding the truth or omitting the facts.
2. It is much easier for the public to discover the facts on their own thereby giving them the power to “out” the suspected wrongdoer or company that is practicing questionable ethics
3. Eventually the truth will come out. For example, ENRON. The truth will not hide forever and if it comes out sooner rather than later it is better for everyone involved.
4. PR professionals have protection if they do have to be a “whistle blower”. Nowadays this protection is given to those employees that have felt they must bring an issue to the attention of the authorities or the public.
5. Communications students are being taught right next to journalists and the same principles that are being ingrained in young journalists are being hammered into PR students as well.
Companies should always try to maintain a high standard of integrity and ethical conduct. It should be consistent with their general Company values and in compliance with both the letter and spirit of all applicable laws and regulations. I believe that the business environment has never been more challenging or complex, particularly for a companies that conduct business in almost every country in the world.
I think that only through the highest ethical conduct, and through a corporate culture that recognizes the value of compliance with these standards, can companies look forward to continued success in the future.
We are responsible for our actions---let us remind companies that they are responsible for theirs--
But there is another list with companies that have high ethical standards and do not bend their values and morals for a profit. Unfortunately those companies are a bit harder to find.
Communications professionals face a whole new set of issues when it comes to ethics.
In previous decades PR professionals are only seen as spin doctors, basically liars for their company, saying what the company tells them to say and not giving the truth to the consumer/customer. In previous decades those reports and bias were not without some backing. Many PR professionals did indeed doctor the truth and basically said what they were supposed to say in order to keep their jobs.
Nowadays it’s a different story—
1. You can be fired if you are found to be telling something that is false or hiding the truth or omitting the facts.
2. It is much easier for the public to discover the facts on their own thereby giving them the power to “out” the suspected wrongdoer or company that is practicing questionable ethics
3. Eventually the truth will come out. For example, ENRON. The truth will not hide forever and if it comes out sooner rather than later it is better for everyone involved.
4. PR professionals have protection if they do have to be a “whistle blower”. Nowadays this protection is given to those employees that have felt they must bring an issue to the attention of the authorities or the public.
5. Communications students are being taught right next to journalists and the same principles that are being ingrained in young journalists are being hammered into PR students as well.
Companies should always try to maintain a high standard of integrity and ethical conduct. It should be consistent with their general Company values and in compliance with both the letter and spirit of all applicable laws and regulations. I believe that the business environment has never been more challenging or complex, particularly for a companies that conduct business in almost every country in the world.
I think that only through the highest ethical conduct, and through a corporate culture that recognizes the value of compliance with these standards, can companies look forward to continued success in the future.
We are responsible for our actions---let us remind companies that they are responsible for theirs--



