CIPR condemns "wholly unethical" practices involving Clarendon Communications
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has strongly condemned reports of unethical behaviour involving a PR firm called Clarendon Communications.
Following its publication of a report compiled by several car manufacturers, questioning the environmental impact of electric vehicles, it has been reported that Clarendon Communications was recently established in the name of the wife of Aston Martin's government affairs director, James Stephens. It is alleged that the agency was used to front the report and present it as third-party research.
The practice of hiding the sponsors of a message to support a cause, breaches the CIPR's Code of Conduct and any member found to be engaged in such practices is likely to face disciplinary action. CIPR members are required under our Code of Conduct to deal honestly and fairly in business with employers, employees, clients, fellow professionals, other professions and the public.
These alleged practices featured in this report are wholly unethical and do not represent the valuable and important work of our profession, both in respect of the information - or misinformation - presented as well as the validity of the source it came from.
This is in clear breach of the CIPR code of conduct which requires members to be transparent, and deal honestly and fairly in business, including with the public. In this age of information, it is unacceptable for companies to be peddling mistruths dressed up as research and it should be condemned widely and forcefully.
CIPR members have access to our Ethics Hotline. Find out more information here.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with nearly 10,000 members.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).