This week there were some really interesting stories on PR Ethics from the ABCs of Ethics to Astroturfing, improper brand association and what to do when you don’t have time to think. (Hint: make the time).
- The ABCs of Ethical Failures – PR Newspublished my article on 26 common causes of ethical failure. This idea sprang from a conversation I had with Keith Green, APR who gave me the DEFG. Following is the graphic snapshot:
- Astroturfing and Non-Disclosure – David Vossbrink brought this ethical failure to my attention. Mother Jones reported how a number of PR firms and industries appear to be engaging in astroturfing on Nextdoor. Not only does this appear to involve front groups, but also PR staff pretending to be local community members when they are not to help sway public action.
- Time and Ethics – People tend to make selfish decisions when they are under pressure and don’t have time to think. To mitigate that impulse, I counsel we need to train our ethical mind. Two sources that shed additional light on the topic include
- The Notre Dame Center for Ethical Leadership discusses what to do when you don’t have the time
- Think First – Michael Cherenson shared this article from Nature yesterday on how cognitive reflection correlates with Twitter behavior
- Improper Brand Association – Ivanka Trump was in hot water for using her position to market her business (and others). The New York Post reported on a similar situation where a Meena Harris, a niece to Vice President Kamala Harris was using their relationship to help sell her brand. It came to light when the Biden White House told her to stop.
Mark W. McClennan, APR, Fellow PRSA, is the general manager of C+C's Boston office. C+C is a communications agency all about the good and purpose-driven brands. He has more than 20 years of tech and fintech agency experience, served as the 2016 National Chair of PRSA, drove the creation of the PRSA Ethics App and is the host of EthicalVoices.com
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