Code Of Professional Conduct

Discuss the main clauses of the code of professional conduct drawn up by the institute of public relations and summarise the importance of the code?

The public affairs practice has many definitions one such definition is communicating with the public to create and sustain good mutual relations with a organisation or company. There are P.R. agents who work in-house and others which work for a agency where ever you work as a P.R. practitioner are certain codes of ethics you are asked to follow drawn up in the code of Lisbon drawn up in or the code of Athens drawn up im going to discuss the clause of the code of professional conduct drawn up by the public relations institute of Ireland on the 20th annual general meeting of the public relations institute of Ireland on the 8th dec 2003 these codes enhance the integrity of the practice and are very important.

Your Conduct towards the public is a big factor in this industry, you must disclose all relevant information to the public at the earliest possible time

The code of professional practice for public relations was adopted by the 20th annual general meeting of the members of the public relations institute of Ireland. It asks its members to abide by a ethical code its main clauses are as follows and are extremely similar to the code of professional conduct drawn up by the institute of public relations.

They for one believe that professional public affairs practice is a proper, legitimate and important activities and believe that the existence of the code enhances integrity.

All activity associated with representing the interests of a client or employer in relation to any matter of public policy, including:

Ð'* Provision of professional advice to clients/employers on matters relevant to public policy or law; or procurement, selection, nomination or appointment for public contract or office

Ð'* Lawful and ethical actions intended to promote a change of public policy or law;

Ð'* The making of representations, or the advocacy of a point of view, to any persons or institutions, including the provision of information and advice.

CODE OF

(Adopted by the 20th annual general meeting of members of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland held in Dublin on December 8th 2003)

The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) believes that professional public affairs practice and lobbying are proper, legitimate and important activities, which ensure an open two-way communication between national and local government (including the Oireachtas, the entire public service, as well as other bodies funded wholly or mainly from public funds), the institutions of the European Union (EU) and bodies whose activities and interests are governed, regulated, impacted or otherwise influenced by such institutions. Furthermore, PRII believes that the existence of a defined code for the practice of public affairs and lobbying will serve to enhance the integrity of the democratic process.

Public relations practitioners will, from time to time, make representations to public representatives of all types, whether elected, co-opted, appointed, public servants, those employed in the public service, or those appointed to public bodies (for the purposes of this Code all such people will henceforth be referred to as public officials).

In order to ensure that the activities of its members are conducted to the highest possible standards of practice and ethics, the Public Relations Institute of Ireland has adopted this Code of Professional Practice, which is a condition of membership of the Institute.

The code will direct PRII members as to acceptable and appropriate standards of behaviour in public affairs activity. It complements the obligations of public officials under the Ethics in Public Office Acts, Local Government Acts, Electoral Acts and standard terms of employment and other rules which also govern the activities of such officials.

For the purposes of this Code of Professional Practice, public affairs practice is defined as:

Code of Professional Practice

All members of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland:

A. Conduct towards the public.

Shall at all times be familiar with and observe all relevant EU, local, national and international law in force, shall have due regard for the public interest and shall not seek to improperly influence the decision-making processes of government, whether local or national, or the E.U. Institutions.

Shall take reasonable steps to ensure that all information supplied, and representations made, by them to third parties is factually accurate and honest.

Will actively disclose, at the earliest possible opportunity, the identity of clients on whose behalf they are making representations on matters of public policy or decision-making, current or proposed legislation, or in respect of the business of the Oireachtas, Northern Ireland Assembly, local authorities, the European Parliament or any other parliament or legislative assembly.

Shall ensure that any financial relationships involved in their professional dealings are legal and ethical. PRII members will neither offer or give, nor cause a client/employer to offer or give, any inducement or reward, direct or indirect, to any public official or person acting on their account.

Shall act at all times in a professional, ethical and reasonable manner and shall not bring unreasonable or undue pressure or influence to bear in their activities as public affairs practitioners. All public officials should, at all times, be treated with courtesy and respect.

Where he/she is a member of a local authority or is appointed by the government to any state or semi-state body, or is engaged by such organisations on a consultancy basis, shall not offer public affairs