Public Relations Ethics in Public Relations 3

Question 1

The Potter Box is a widely used ethical decision-making model in PR. What is the first step in this four-step model?

Accepted Answer

Define the situation by establishing the facts of the case

Answer

Identify your loyalties to all affected parties

Answer

Apply philosophical ethical principles to the dilemma

Answer

Identify your personal and professional values

Question 2

Which organization established the first formal code of ethics for public relations practitioners in the United States?

Accepted Answer

PRSA (Public Relations Society of America)

Answer

IABC (International Association of Business Communicators)

Answer

IPR (Institute for Public Relations)

Answer

CPRS (Canadian Public Relations Society)

Question 3

Which ethical concept requires PR professionals to consider the impact of their actions on all affected groups, not just the paying client?

Accepted Answer

Stakeholder responsibility

Answer

Client primacy

Answer

Fiduciary duty

Answer

Profit maximization

Question 4

Under the PRSA Code of Ethics, what obligation does a PR professional retain regarding a former client after changing employers?

Accepted Answer

They must maintain confidentiality of former clients' proprietary information

Answer

They must destroy all former client files before leaving the agency

Answer

They are free to share client strategies with their new employer

Answer

They must wait one year before working on any competing accounts

Question 5

What is 'two-way symmetric communication,' considered by many scholars to be the most ethical PR model?

Accepted Answer

An equal dialogue where both organization and public can mutually influence each other

Answer

Sending the same message simultaneously to two different target audiences

Answer

Using both digital and traditional media channels for the same campaign

Answer

Communicating with media only during scheduled, designated press conference hours

Question 6

What should a PR practitioner do if a client instructs them to spread disinformation about a competitor?

Accepted Answer

Decline and explain that it violates professional ethics and the PRSA Code

Answer

Comply if the client is willing to pay a significantly higher rate

Answer

Execute the campaign anonymously to limit personal liability

Answer

Consult a lawyer first and proceed only if the activity is technically legal

Question 7

Which federal law requires PR professionals and lobbyists representing foreign governments to register with the US Department of Justice?

Accepted Answer

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)

Answer

The Communications Decency Act

Answer

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Answer

The Federal Trade Commission Act