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Legal and Ethical Considerations for Public Relations

Second Edition

Karla K. Gower

 

Since the law reflects a society’s values, norms, and beliefs, public relations professionals need an understanding of both law and ethics. Without it, practitioners cannot effectively do their jobs. Legal and Ethical Considerations for Public Relations melds ethics and the law with other integral aspects of the field to address inaccuracies, liability, and moral questions of right and wrong.

The second edition continues to address the classical approaches to ethics, business ethics, theories of public relations ethics, ethics codes, and personal ethics. To help professionals shield their organizations from liability or harm, First Amendment theory and its relevance for public relations speech, corporate and commercial speech, and specific areas of the law, such as government regulations, torts, and intellectual property, are discussed. Gower includes influential cases to illustrate specific legal concepts and the reasoning behind each one. She prepares readers with practical knowledge and insights that will benefit them throughout every phase of their career.

Howard-Mathews, On Deadline, 4/E

$14.95 list, 112 pages

10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-554-6

13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-554-0

© 2008

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“The text covers legal and ethical issues fully, but with economy. Students use it as a springboard for exploring public relations cases in current events.”  — Jacqueline Lambiase, University of North Texas

Table of Contents

1. Doing the Right Thing

Classical Theories / Ethical Standards in Business / Theories of Public Relations Ethics / Codes of Ethics / Personal Ethics / Application

2. Defining Public Relations Speech

Sources of Law / Development of First Amendment Law / Philosophical Justifications for Freedom of Expression / Corporate Speech / Commercial Speech

3. Regulating Public Relations Speech

Lobbying / Federal Trade Commission / Food and Drug Administration / The Securities and Exchange Commission / Other Federal Regulations / Affecting Promotional Activities

4. Harming Others

Damaging Another's Reputation / Invading Another's Privacy / Causing Personal Injury

5. Protecting Creative Property

Protecting Creative Expression: Copyright / Protecting Goodwill: Trademark / Protecting Inventions: Patents