Code of Ethics

This Code applies to OSSPL network portals, servers and its visitors / network users. The Code is designed to be a useful guide to carry out ethical responsibilities. This document is designed to anticipate and accommodate, by precedent, ethical challenges that may arise. The scenarios outlined in the Code provision are actual examples of misconduct. More will be added as experience with the Code occurs.

We're committed to ethical practices. The level of public trust our network users seek, as we serve the public good, means we have taken on a special obligation to operate ethically.

The value of network users / members / contributors reputation depends upon the ethical conduct of everyone affiliated with our portals and servers. Each of us sets an example for each other – as well as other professionals – by our pursuit of excellence with powerful standards of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

Emphasis on enforcement of the Code has been eliminated. But, OSSPL retains the right to bar from network or expel any individual or organization who has been or is sanctioned / convicted by a government agency, individual victim or court that fails to comply with the code.

Ethical practice is the most important obligation of our network users. We view the network user Code of Ethics as a model for other professions, organizations, and professionals.

Statement of Professional Values

This statement presents the core values of network users and, more broadly, of the digital media platforms. These values provide the foundation for the network user Code of Ethics and set the industry standard for the professional practice of public relations. These values are the fundamental beliefs that guide our behaviors and decision-making process. We believe our professional values are vital to the integrity of the profession as a whole

ADVOCACY

We serve the public interest by acting as responsible advocates for those we represent. We provide a voice in the marketplace of ideas, facts, and viewpoints to aid informed public debate.

HONESTY We adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and truth in advancing the interests of those we represent and in communicating with the public.

EXPERTISE We acquire and responsibly use specialized knowledge and experience. We advance the profession through continued professional development, research, and education. We build mutual understanding, credibility, and relationships among a wide array of institutions and audiences.

INDEPENDENCE We provide objective counsel to those we represent. We are accountable for our actions.

LOYALTY We are faithful to those we represent, while honoring our obligation to serve the public interest.

FAIRNESS We deal fairly with clients, employers, competitors, peers, vendors, the media, and the general public. We respect all opinions and support the right of free expression.

Code Provisions of Conduct

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION Core Principle Protecting and advancing the free flow of accurate and truthful information is essential to serving the public interest and contributing to informed decision making in a democratic society.

Intent:

To maintain the integrity of relationships with the media, government officials, and the public. To aid informed decision-making.

Guidelines:

A network user shall:

Preserve the integrity of the process of communication. Be honest and accurate in all communications. Act promptly to correct erroneous communications for which the practitioner is responsible. Preserve the free flow of unprejudiced information when giving or receiving gifts by ensuring that gifts are nominal, legal, and infrequent.

Examples of Improper Conduct Under this Provision:

A network user representing an online portal gives discount coupons to a lifestyle magazine columnist, to influence the columnist to write favorable articles about its product or services.

A network user entertains a government official beyond legal limits and/or in violation of government reporting requirements.

A network user or financial entity abusing its capital and legal power for extortion, profiteering and fraud.

COMPETITION Core Principle Promoting healthy and fair competition among professionals preserves an ethical climate while fostering a robust business environment.

Intent:

To promote respect and fair competition among public relations professionals. To serve the public interest by providing the widest choice of practitioner options.

Guidelines: A network user shall:

Follow ethical hiring practices designed to respect free and open competition without deliberately undermining a competitor. Preserve intellectual property rights in the marketplace.

Examples of Improper Conduct Under This Provision:

A network user employed by a “client organization” shares helpful information with a counseling firm that is competing with others for the organization’s business. A network user spreads malicious and unfounded rumors about a competitor in order to alienate the competitor’s clients and employees in a ploy to recruit people and business.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Core Principle Open communication fosters informed decision making in a democratic society.

Intent:

To build trust with the public by revealing all information needed for responsible decision making.

Guidelines: A network user shall:

Be honest and accurate in all communications. Act promptly to correct erroneous communications for which the network user is responsible. Investigate the truthfulness and accuracy of information released on behalf of those represented. Reveal the sponsors for causes and interests represented. Disclose financial interest (such as share holder) in a client’s organization. Avoid deceptive practices.

Examples of Improper Conduct Under this Provision:

Front groups: A network user implements grassroot campaigns or letter-writing campaigns to legislators on behalf of undisclosed interest groups. Lying by omission: A practitioner for a corporation knowingly fails to release financial information, giving a misleading impression of the corporation’s performance. A network user discovers inaccurate information disseminated via a website or media kit and does not correct the information. A network user deceives the public by employing people to pose as volunteers to speak at public hearings and participate in grassroot campaigns.

SAFEGUARDING CONFIDENCES Core Principle Client trust requires appropriate protection of confidential and private information.

Intent: To protect the privacy rights of clients, organizations, and individuals by safeguarding confidential information.

Guidelines:

A network user shall:

Safeguard the confidences and privacy rights of present, former, and prospective clients and employees. Protect privileged, confidential, or insider information gained from a client or organization. Immediately advise an appropriate authority if a network user discovers that confidential information is being divulged by an employee of a client company or organization.

Examples of Improper Conduct Under This Provision:

A network user changes jobs, takes confidential information, and uses that information in the new position to the detriment of the former employer. A network user intentionally leaks proprietary information to the detriment of some other party.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Core Principle Avoiding real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest builds the trust of clients, employers, and the public.

Intent:

To earn trust and mutual respect with clients or employers. To build trust with the public by avoiding or ending situations that put one’s personal or professional interests in conflict with society’s interests.

Guidelines: A network user shall:

Act in the best interests of the client or employer, even subordinating the network user’s personal interests. Avoid actions and circumstances that may appear to compromise good business judgment or create a conflict between personal and professional interests. Disclose promptly any existing or potential conflict of interest to affected clients or organizations. Encourage clients and customers to determine if a conflict exists after notifying all affected parties.

Examples of Improper Conduct Under This Provision:

The network user fails to disclose that he or she has a strong financial interest in a client’s chief competitor. The network user represents a “competitor company” or a “conflicting interest” without informing a prospective client.

ENHANCING THE PROFESSION Core Principle Public relations professionals work constantly to strengthen the public’s trust in the profession.

Intent:

To build respect and credibility with the public for the profession of public relations. To improve, adapt and expand professional practices.

Guidelines: A network user shall:

Acknowledge that there is an obligation to protect and enhance the profession. Keep informed and educated about practices in the profession to ensure ethical conduct. Actively pursue personal professional development. Decline representation of clients or organizations that urge or require actions contrary to this Code. Accurately define what public relations activities can accomplish.

Counsel subordinates in proper ethical decision making. Require that subordinates adhere to the ethical requirements of the Code. Report practices that fail to comply with the Code, whether committed by our network users or not, to the appropriate authority.

Examples of Improper Conduct Under This Provision:

A OSSPL network user declares publicly that a product the client sells is safe, without disclosing evidence to the contrary. A network user initially assigns some questionable client work to a non-network user practitioner to avoid the ethical obligation of our network user-ship.

OSSPL network user Code of Ethics Pledge

I pledge:

To conduct myself professionally, with truth, accuracy, fairness, and responsibility to the public; To improve my individual competence and advance the knowledge and proficiency of the profession through continuing research and education; And to adhere to the articles of the network user Code of Ethics 2021 for the practice of public relations as adopted by the governing OSSPL.

I understand and accept that there is a consequence for misconduct, up to and including network usership revocation. And, I understand that those who have been or are sanctioned by a government agency or convicted in a court of law of an action that fails to comply with the Code may be barred from network usership or expelled from OSSPL Network.

_________ Signature _________ Date

Most Important Note: Your Physical Signature or ID verification are NOT required in most cases, your access to our network assets as a visitor, software, AI bot or logged-in user invokes the code.