Ethics in Public Relations: A Guide to Best Practice (PR in Practice)

OVERVIEW

To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.

”Confucius

˜Didn't I see you having dinner the other night with John Smith?

It seems like an innocent enough question coming from a friend and colleague.

˜Yes, we've been seeing each other for a while.

Your friend looks at you, puzzled. ˜Doesn't your PR firm represent one of his company's competitors ?

˜Sure, but our relationship outside the office is strictly personal. What are you getting at? You're beginning to become irritated at the direction of the conversation.

˜Nothing, really, your friend continues. ˜You just might want to be careful. There are people who might not think it's such a good idea. Like your boss, for one.

˜Well, you retort defensively, ˜my personal life is my own business.

And with that you sweep another potential ethical dilemma under the rug. Sex ”or other personal relationships ”and the public relations practitioner: can it be a conflict of interest or any other kind of moral dilemma?