APR Exam Study Guide: Latest Updated Guide: Questions & Answers

Ethics (Ans - Process to decide right or wrong General principles: 1. Public interest 2. Honesty & integrity 3. Avoid conflicts of interest 4. Accuracy and truth 5. Deal fairly with all publics PR-specific principles: 1. Accurately define what PR can accomplish 2. Channel integrity (transparency) 3. Safeguard confidences 4. Do not damage reputation of others 5. Avoid conflicts of interestEthical Decision-Making (Ans - Suggested process: 1. Define specific ethical issue 2. Internal & external factors (legal, economic, social, etc) 3. Key values: loyalty, advocacy, honesty, independence 4. Individuals and publics affected 5. Principles: free flow of info, integrity of relationships, truth and accuracy 6. Decide & justify (independence saves the day) Corporate speech (Ans - Company speech that addresses political or social issues has First Amendment protection Commercial speech (Ans - Company speech that deals with a transaction or desire for profit has less protection. The FTC can fine misleading or incorrect informationFOIA (Ans - Freedom of Information Act gives citizens access to much of the information collected by the federal govt Privacy (Ans - Privacy act governs info the federal govt may keep on individuals Legal principle ensures an individual's right to be left alone; secure permission before using a person's name. Violations: 1. Appropriation: no consent given 2. Intrusion: invading solitude w/o permission 3. Embarrassing private facts: medical, sexual, criminal 4. False light: putting somebody in a false position HIPPA (Ans - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act limits disclosure of an individual medical info Copyright (Ans - Goals of laws 1) protect original creator, and 2) economic incentive for new knowledge. Always use citations.