Fifth Week.

After reading the given chapters and articles, I think the key points of week 5’s lectures are that the best ethical framework is for public relations practitioners observe their professional association’s code and the code of conduct wherever they work. Not forgetting, to be able to make quality decisions, one must select a legal practitioner responsibly and carefully as dealing with the law is no small matter.

I feel that a public relations practitioner must be trustworthy, responsible, respectful and have strong personal values so that his/her ethics would not be easily swayed by anyone or by any organization.

The readings made me think and realize that the legal environment in the industry of public relations is tricky. One might actually offend another through words, pictures, cartoons, graphics, effigies, signs, and even human gestures/actions without even realizing it. Also, law is a very important part of public relations, one wrong move would bring about serious aftermath.

Another point to note: A legal win ( in the case of MacDonalds), does not equally mean a PR win. Choosing a legal practitioner that does not lack professionalism would bring out the best results; the best outcome from both legal and public relations perspective.