Edelman President Wants New PR Code of Ethics
Richard Edelman, president and CEO of Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations firm, wants a new code of ethics for public relations firms. In reaction to the Armstrong Williams case, he writes in his blog:
Here are a few elements of such a code of conduct:
1) No Pay for Play–No payment to a journalist for placement
2) Transparency on Source of Funding or Financial Interest of Spokesperson–This should apply to relationships with traditional media and especially in on-line media.
3) Enforcement–Wrong-doing should be exposed and there should be a forum for adjudication. If ethical violations are confirmed, then there must be consequences.
4) Education–We must bring these issues to important schools teaching public relations, such as Syracuse, Boston University, USC and Northwestern. Cases should be developed to allow students to understand the gravity of these matters. A similar commitment to education of our own staffs must be undertaken around the world.
5) It is implicit but we should state: no bill padding–no hours shall be charged to clients that have not been worked by firm personnel.
