CCP CCP Ethics & Professional Standards in Communications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Astroturfing in public relations refers to:
- Organizing authentic grassroots advocacy campaigns
- Creating the false appearance of widespread public support for a cause that is actually orchestrated by a hidden sponsor (Correct answer)
- Using outdoor advertising on synthetic turf venues
- Hiring influencers with disclosed sponsorship agreements
Correct answer: Creating the false appearance of widespread public support for a cause that is actually orchestrated by a hidden sponsor
Astroturfing is an unethical practice that deceives the public by disguising organized, funded campaigns as spontaneous citizen movements.
Question 2: Which federal body has regulatory authority over truth-in-advertising and disclosure requirements for sponsored content in the US?
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Correct answer)
- Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Correct answer: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC enforces rules requiring clear and conspicuous disclosure of material connections between advertisers, brands, and content creators.
Question 3: A communications professional who coaches a spokesperson to give technically true but misleading statements to media is violating which ethical principle?
- Loyalty
- Free flow of information
- Avoiding deception (Correct answer)
- Expertise
Correct answer: Avoiding deception
Ethics codes prohibit not only outright falsehoods but also deliberately misleading statements, even when each word is technically accurate.
Question 4: The IABC standard of 'professional development' as an ethical obligation means communicators should:
- Pursue advanced degrees from accredited universities
- Continuously update their skills and knowledge to maintain competence in their field (Correct answer)
- Complete at least 40 hours of training per year
- Achieve the CCP designation within five years of entering the profession
Correct answer: Continuously update their skills and knowledge to maintain competence in their field
Professional development as an ethical duty requires communicators to remain competent as the field evolves, ensuring they can serve clients and employers effectively.
Question 5: When representing an organization in a public controversy, a communicator discovers leadership is concealing material facts. The ethical response is to:
- Continue communicating the approved messages to protect the organization
- Internally advocate for full disclosure and, if refused, assess whether continued representation is ethically tenable (Correct answer)
- Immediately brief journalists with the concealed information
- Resign without explanation
Correct answer: Internally advocate for full disclosure and, if refused, assess whether continued representation is ethically tenable
Ethical communicators must advocate for transparency internally and, if the organization refuses, must consider whether they can continue to represent it with integrity.
Question 6: Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) and Certified Communications Professional (CCP) designations are administered by which respective organizations?
- PRSA and IABC
- IABC and PRSA (Correct answer)
- SHRM and IABC
- IABC and SHRM
Correct answer: IABC and PRSA
The ABC designation is issued by IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) and the CCP is also an IABC credential; both are core professional certifications in the field.
CCP CCP Ethics & Professional Standards in Communications 2
Astroturfing in public relations refers to: