Code of Ethics – Assignment 2
Andrea Denette
March 18, 2015
Integrated Corporate Communication, Comm 3010
Paul Lindsley, M.A., ABC

The word ethics has many definitions depending on who you are speaking with and if it is business related. One person may tell you that ethics has to do with what is right and wrong. Another may say it has to do with that law of the land. In fact there are many interpretations and definitions for ethics. In Corporate Communications there is a totally different set of code of ethics. The standards for professional communicators are similar to each other and they also have their differences in relation to their actual profession. I am going to compare and contrast the different codes of the major associations of professional communications. I am going to discuss one from the Journalist profession: The Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ), Public relations and information: Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the business profession: American Advertising Federation (AAF). All three of these have some of the same basic codes for example: respect, truth, accountability, honesty and avoiding conflicts of interest. Any member of The Society of Professional Journalist believe the public has a right to know of any events or issues in the world. They believe that this is the “forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy” (Unit 4). All journalists look for the truth and then let the public know about it. The Society of Professional Journalist minimizes harm, act independently and be accountable. There is no stereotyping of any kind allowed. Any ethical The Society of Professional Journalist will treat all informants, co-workers or the subject at hand with respect as we are all deserving of it as human beings. Any time a Society of Professional Journalist makes a mistake they are to promptly correct