Ethics in Crisis Communications and Public Relations
(a “6%” assignment)
Review the Bonus Chapter about crisis communications and public relations messages in your online
textbook (via Connect). You will find it under “End Matter” (pages BC1-34).
Learn how crisis communications messages impact reputation and the nature of crisis management,
including pre-crisis planning, crisis responses, and post-crisis actions.
Apply the AIM process to crisis messages
Respond to external complaints and handle rumors in the Social Age
Understand public relations (PR) messages
Role of public relations (PR)
Gain credibility through PR
Next, look at the Code of Ethics for the Public Relations Society of America (you can find it at
www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Ethics/CodeEnglish/ ).
The PRSA advocates six professional values:
1. Advocacy
2. Honesty
3. Expertise
4. Independence
5. Loyalty
6. Fairness
Task: Choose two of these (above) and do the following:
Elaborate on your two chosen values. Provide details about their meaning and how you can
ensure that your crisis communications and PR messages comply with these two values.
Explain the primary challenges to living up to your two chosen professional values.
Choose a company of interest to you. What specific steps can this company take to live up to
your two chosen professional values?
Format your response as a professional business letter (1-2 pages, single spaced) to your instructor.
Responses should be carefully constructed, accurate, and original. Be attentive to how you use
credibility, evidence, etc.
Evaluation: All grading criteria/aspects of communication matter. “Context” and “Audience” won’t
count since this isn’t a traditional piece of business correspondence. Instead, “Format / Visual
Impression” will be about getting the letter format correct. Format your letter correctly; develop your
ideas thoroughly, organize and present your information in a logical manner, build sentences and
proofread.
Note: You may do this exercise individually or with a partner. If you choose to work with a partner, both
team members will receive the same grade. How you share research and writing responsibilities is up to
you.