Robin Hood Ethics

Robin Hood Ethics

To put it lightly, Robin Hood ethics is pretty easily described at “What would Robin Hood do?” We all know the story of Robin Hood, who stole from the rich to give back to the poor. It’s a little different in Russell Crowe’s newest rendition of the story, but you get the picture. Robin Hood ethics for a journalist is something that I often use. When reporting something that is a touchy subject for a certain group of people. I make sure that I report it in a way that will create the least amount of harm to the reader as possible. This in no way means lying, it means not including harsh facts that could potentially harm a reader.

When reporting a story one time, I wrote about someone who had a very well known spouse. At the time, my editors got a hold of the information that they were in the middle of a divorce. This information was irrelevant to the story and using my Robin Hood ethics, I continuously asked the editors to leave that part out of my story. But it was too late, once the copy editors got a hold of my story, they reported the divorce and it was out of my hands. The article did more harm than good and that one small part of my story was now the center of it, instead of my touching piece that I originally wrote.

I was so devastated and so was my interviewee. It was hard to face this person after I came to hear about how upset they were when this information was printed. But I explained the situation and sent the person my original story. Which was met by approval.

The publication received a lot of slack from that, and this could have been avoided if Robin Hood ethics were used. No matter how many readers that the article would have drawn with the divorce fact, it took away from the original message of the article.

Robin Hood ethics is the way to go. And has proven itself very affective with many of the publications that I work for.

Persuasion... or Propaganda?

Persuasion… or Propaganda?

It is very important as a public relations professional to not mislead the public in any way, shape or form. There are so many ways to avoid this. And I think the best way by doing so is to expose your purpose right off the bat in order to not mislead the true meaning that you are trying to get across.

By simplifying the situation and by not persuading the public to only agree with your cause by persuasion, you will avoid manipulation. It is important to leave emotion out of your press releases, so that the public is not confused by your intentions. I have found that by supporting a press release with true and honest facts, journalists and the public is much more receptive to the information. This excludes persuasion and manipulation.

Because who wants to manipulate the public to join their cause. By throwing in that a company is donating a certain percentage of profits to a company and by reporting extensive research on the charity, it directs the public from the real cause- that is, for example, to launch a yacht party with the biggest celebrities. How does this event help a charity? See what I mean? Just be honest in what you’re reporting. If you have to try to manipulate the public to gain interest, than you should probably go back to the drawing board and come up with a new strategy.

Whose rights are right?

Whose rights are right?

For every right, there is a right. What are my rights? And when am I overstepping them as a Public Relations Professional? I may be against something, while someone is for it. So how do I instrument this into my expertise?

The bottom line is that it is not my job to justify a particular right. But at the same time, I will always uphold my personal ethics and if I do not agree with something that I have been assigned to, I much rather leave my voice out of the project and take a neutral stance than to be taken off of it. That maybe shocking to some, but I look at it in the light that although, I do not stand for that particular right, I see the other view for that right.

For example (Mom, please don’t get mad when you read this): The “going green” movement is not one of my top priorities in my life. I think that the new recycling grocery bag that you can buy at any grocery store is a bit extensive and an honest waste. I mean, it’s a waste of recycled energy and recycled products. And organic sweaters are just seemingly ridiculous. I don’t want my sweater made of bark and my buttons made of tin cans.

I am not a big supporter of the green movement, however, I can see someone’s right to pursuing this movement. I can appreciate it and therefore take on a responsibility to promote it as the PR professional.

It’s not my job to expose what is right or not, it’s my job to keep a level head and to leave opinions out the door to serve my client’s best interest.

Media Relations: the breeding ground for ethical problems

Media Relations: the breeding ground for ethical problems

I have been in both positions as a Public Relations professional and as a journalist. As a journalist, it is easy for us to sweep press releases from pushy publicists under the table. It is easy to overlook potentially amazing stories because of the previous notion and attitude that I have about press releases and public relations professionals.

And as a Public Relations professional, I know how annoying it is when my press release can’t be pushed into media. It is frustrating to work with journalists who can’t seem to see a great story right in front of them via the press release.

But as interesting as it is, journalist and PR professionals need each other equally. According to Ethics in Public Relations by Patrici Parsons, “Journalism literature suggests that 40-50 percent or more of all news that’s reported on any given day has its origin in PR departments.”

I completely agree with this because when I work on my website: www.MuayThaimes.com, most of the content that comes through are press releases. This is the most effective way to report the news. Sometimes stories even come out of press releases. It’s a very efficient way for a journalist to produce accurate news stories. Press releases are appreciated and so too are the individuals behind them!

Staircase to Respect

Staircase to Respect

Respect in all areas of life is a very important thing to have. But for the Public Relations Professional, respect is everything. As a PR Professional, one should have an appeasing and respectful image for potential clients and colleagues.

It is important to have a good and respectful image because along with a positive reputation comes more clients and more demand for your expertise. As the public relations professional, it is important to develop a certain image for one’s self as well as for their client. This is achieved by manners, composure, appearance and strong work ethics that are clearly displayed.

By having good manners, one achieves respect for others and by having respect for others; others will have respect for you. By treating everyone with respect, it will allow a positive image for the professional and thus, the professional will climb the staircase to respect. Respect is earned, not handed out.

“It takes 20 years to earn respect and 5 minutes to ruin it.”- Warren Buffet.