Ethics Moment: Code of Ethics: Boring and Old, or a PR Pro’s Best Secret Weapon?
Posted on Dec. 5, 2025 / Subscribe 0
By Holly S. Ingram, APR – Cincinnati Chapter Ethics Director
It’s been an honor to serve as the Ethics Director for the PRSA Cincinnati Chapter the last 4 years and help our members to “Learn the Code. Live the Code.” That is, the PRSA Code of Ethics.
I know it’s easy to see ethics as boring. As something only for classroom or Ethics Month discussion. Or only for senior practitioner to think about.
The truth is, when you examine any hot topic du jour in our profession, the 75-year-old PRSA Code of Ethics has been, and will always be, relevant guidance. Whether you’re a new or veteran PRSA member, work in an agency, as independent practitioner, for a non-profit, or a private or public company. Whether or not you’ve earned the APR credentials (although if you have, you are likely to know and appreciate the Code’s guidance immensely).
Its framework is relevant whether you’re “training” generative AI tools on your brand, tasked with hiring and leveraging influencers, pitching a story, or dealing with social media trolls.
Whatever your day holds, your member commitment to uphold the Code means approaching your work with honesty, expertise, independence, loyalty, and fairness, and being an advocate for our profession. It helps you work through the right thing to do.
I want to close the year by encouraging members to review the Code annually and throughout the year ahead, think about ethical implications in your daily work. What’s in it for you is increasing awareness of when you might be encountering an ethical challenge and reminding you to do the right thing. Do it to protect your professional reputation and success and that of your clients or company.
The Code can be your best professional secret weapon. May your holidays be merry and bright, and of course, ethical!
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