Purpose

• The PRSA Code of Ethics helps "members navigate ethics principles and applications," according to the organization's website. The code identifies core values and standards that guide members in their professional activities. PRSA's Board of Ethics and Professional Standards establishes and updates this code. The Code of Ethics lists professional values and provisions that include guidelines as well as examples of improper conduct.
  
  

Professional Values

• The PRSA Code of Ethics lists six core values that its members should uphold. The values "are the fundamental beliefs that guide our behaviors and decision-making process," according to the PRSA national website. PRSA members display values of advocacy, or serving as advocates for their clients, honesty and expertise. Other core values in the Code of Ethics are independence, loyalty and fairness.
  
  

Free Flow of Information

• This provision in the PRSA Code of Ethics focuses on upholding the integrity of relationship with the media, government officials and clients. PRSA members must maintain honest, open lines of communication and remedy any misinformation right away. The Code of Ethics offers examples of improper conduct in this provision, such as "a member entertains a government official beyond legal limits."
  
  

Competition

• This provision outlines ways to promote healthy competition in the public relations field. The Code of Ethics advises members to practice fair hiring practices and uphold intellectual property rights. Gossiping about competitors and spreading rumors are examples of improper conduct, according to the organization's code.
  
  

Disclosure of Information

• The PRSA Code of Ethics charges its members to provide the public with all necessary information to make informed decisions. Members can achieve this by maintaining honesty in all communications and avoiding deceptive practices. For example, a public relations professional who omits important information from a company's financial report deceives the public.
  
  

Safeguarding Confidences

• According to the PRSA Code of Ethics, public relations professionals must keep confidential company and client information under wraps. Members should protect such information and report any illegal distribution of confidential information. For instance, if a public relations professional takes confidential company information to his new company, he has not upheld this provision of the Code of Ethics.
  
  

Other Provisions

• The PRSA Code of Ethics also advises its members to avoid conflicts of interest and enhance the profession. According to the Code of Ethics, PRSA members can enhance the profession by staying informed about ethical conduct, seeking professional development opportunities and reporting any ethical violations.