Recent media reports around the agency Bell Pottinger calls into question a lot of issues around ethics and, in particular, how public relations is conducted in South Africa.
PRISA President, Kavitha Kalicharan, reiterates the Institute’s previous call for integrity on how professionals and PR consultancies serve in the best interest of their clients.

PRISA finds the apology by Bell Pottinger disheartening, as it lacks a demonstratable accountability given the severe impact of its conduct in South Africa. The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) is considering an investigation in lieu of evidence to be presented to them.

It is important to note that the PR industry operates in a complex and diverse environment that requires creative solutions. This sounds like a straightforward, relatively simple statement, however, it is not that simple.

Cornerstones of professional public relations practice focus on building long-term, trusting relationships and making ethical decisions based on ‘humble intelligence', which includes a wide range of interactive and collaborative sources (Willis) 2016.

Partnerships with media should aim to build trust, ensuring transparent news sourcing with public relations professionals have the responsibility to 'at all times deal fairly and honestly with our clients, employees (past and present) with colleagues, media, and the public.' 

PRISA members not only adhere to the local body’s code and standards, but also to that set by its international partnership with Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.

Conduct of the Institute’s individual and consultancy members is governed by a Code of Ethics and Professional Standards. In relation to the Bell Pottinger conduct, specific attention is drawn to the following clauses in the PRISA code:

  • We have a positive duty to maintain integrity and accuracy, as well as generally accepted standards of good taste;
  • We shall not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly communicate false or misleading information. It is our obligation to use proper care to avoid doing so inadvertently;
  • We shall not engage in any practice, which tends to corrupt the integrity of channels or media of communication; and
  • We respect the principles contained in the Constitution of the country in which we practice.

It is evident that self-regulation in the public relations and communication management industry is no longer sufficient. While not all practitioners or consultancies are members of PRISA, PRISA invites every public relations professional to subscribe to its Code of Ethics, which serve as a guide for professional conduct and will, in the long run, ensure that its profession remains credible and recognised as a strategic partner to both the individuals and the organisations that it serves.

You can access PRISA's code here.  

For more information, visit www.prisa.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.