Noah Price
September 16, 2024
Basic PR Writing
Noah’s Code of Ethics
Ethical codes are used professionally to maintain essential morals throughout the workplace. The ethical codes regarding my life serve as instructions for professional and academic success, as well as internal growth and wealth. My codes include fundamental principles that are widely applied, but also principles that are more distinctive to my character and life experiences. Some ethical codes that I live by and want to continue living by include honesty, creativity, and courage. I consider these codes to be pillars I stand on in life, and the key focus of my personality. The use of ethical codes is very important because they keep business professionals honest and morally righteous.
Honesty
Honesty is the art of telling the truth no matter how it may affect others. Although honesty can sometimes be harmful, it is always important to be truthful to others and also to oneself. Honesty is my first ethical code of importance because truthfulness will always be useful. Sometimes it can seem unnecessary but it will be resourceful in the long run which is more important than how it may affect someone in the present. In public relations, honesty is identified as one of the most crucial policies. When storytelling, the truth is extremely valuable or else the story can be viewed less seriously, or even viewed as invalid. For example, if I was writing a press release for my client who was recently involved in a scandal and I were to lie about situational details or proactive steps my client plans to take, my client and I would be perceived as unreliable and it would damage my credibility. In this instance, my best option would be to be honest about the situation and ensure my client truly plans to take steps to rectify the issue.
Creativity
Creativity is the use of the brain to form original and imaginative ideas. Creativity has always been an important value to me, especially as an aspiring communications professional. I have always used creativity as a positive outlet for my emotions and hardships, so it has become a big part of my life. In public relations, I think creativity is one of the most important values of them all. Writing is an art, and art is one of the only professions that exclusively requires creative freedom. In communications, if a writer is not creative, it will be hard for their stories to be exciting and draw the audience. Without a hook, viewers will be less interested in the writing pieces which will drop ratings. In public relations specifically, writers have to be creative to market their clients in engaging and innovative ways. If I were working for a public relations agency, and my client’s audience had been disengaged due to boring or overused marketing tactics, I would need to be creative on new ways to reconnect the audience to the company.
Courage
Courage is the ability to do things out of one’s comfort zone, especially acts of bravery. Without courage, a lot of things will not get done. In the past, people who exhibited courage have done impeccable things that will not be forgotten. It is always very important to take action on injustice and to stand up for what you believe in, no matter the consequences. In my life, there have been times when I have had to be courageous to be treated with respect and as an equal as a black woman. In public relations, courage is imperative. Without courage in public relations, important work would have never been written. These pieces can be important when it comes to the truth about a topic being revealed to the public. In some cases, the truth can be seen as harmful, but as writers, we have a responsibility to remain honest and credible with our audience and ourselves. For example, if I were writing an expose on a company that has unethical business practices and they don’t want me to release the story, I have to consider what is important to me. It comes down to the question: Would I rather face the wrath of this company? Or stand up for what I believe is wrong?