CIPR supports Global Principles of Ethical Practice
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is proud to support a universally agreed set of principles aimed at promoting ethical conduct in public relations.
The initiative - led by the Global Alliance - is backed by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) and the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA).
As a member of the Global Alliance, the CIPR has supported the project since its inception and encourages PR professionals from across the world to adhere to the principles.
The 16 principles are deemed universal and fundamental to public relations practice and communication management. They are:
Guiding principles
- Working in the public interest
- Obeying laws and respect diversity and local customs
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom of media
- Honesty, truth and fact-based communication
- Integrity
- Transparency and disclosure
- Privacy
Principles of professional practice
- Commitment to continuous learning and training
- Avoiding conflict of interest
- Advocating for the profession
- Respect and fairness in dealing with publics
- Expertise without guarantee of results beyond capacity
- Behaviours that enhance the profession
- Professional conduct
This is a powerful expression of what the industry can achieve when it speaks with one voice. The universally agreed principles will help us embed ethics at the heart of PR practice.
As a member of the Global Alliance, we are proud to champion the highest standards of ethical practice and believe this is an important step towards improving ethical standards of public relations across the world.
As communicators and public relations professionals, we have the potential to influence economies and individuals. This carries obligations and responsibilities to society and to organisations. Ethics must be at the core of our activity. In our world of fake news and concerns over privacy as artificial intelligence ramps us, we are at an ethical crossroads. There is no public relations/communication profession without ethics.
Popular ethics resources
- Ethical decision tree (PDF)
- Interactive ethics podcast
- Integrity (PDF) - interpreting the CIPR Code of Conduct
Find out more about what the CIPR does to promote ethics in public relations.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
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).