A Comparative Study of the Ethical Codes of Public Relations in Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK)
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study compared the codes of ethics of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) in the United Kingdom (UK). In doing so, the study examined the similarities, differences, and potential areas for improvement in ethical practices within the public relations profession in Nigeria and the UK. A document analysis research method was employed to identify critical provisions, principles, and guidelines governing ethical practices in public relations as outlined by the NIPR and CIPR. The theoretical frameworks employed in the study included the Deontological, Utilitarian, Virtue, and Care theories of ethics. The document analysis of the respective ethical codes revealed a very high degree of similarity between the NIPR and CIPR codes. Both organisations emphasised the importance of professionalism, honesty, integrity, competence, confidentiality, and social responsibility. While the two codes of ethics are largely similar, one major difference is that the NIPR lacks a section on social media. This omission could lead to significant challenges in addressing the ethical issues of the digital age. By addressing this gap, the NIPR would provide its members with essential guidance to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and maintain the Institute’s reputation. Additionally, different cultural contexts and legal compliance frameworks influence the two codes of ethics in the business environments in which they operate. Nigeria’s and the UK’s cultural and legal frameworks significantly shape the development, interpretation, and application of their codes of ethics in public relations practices.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
How to Cite
References
Amujo, O. C. & Melewar, T. C. (2011). Contemporary challenges impacting on the practice of public relations in Nigeria (1990-2011), PRism 8(1). http://www.prismjournal.org/homepage.html
Ajihson, J. (2017). 7 Problems Facing Public Relations Practice in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-problems-facing-public-elations-practice-africa-dr-ajihson
Akubuike, O. (2024, ). Public Relations, truth essential to building public trust – Ministerhttps://newsdiaryonline.com/public-relations-truth-ssential-to-building-public-trust-minister/
Banks, S. J. (2016). Ethics in Public Relations: A Guide to Best Practice. Kogan Page.
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27-40.
owen, S. (2008). A state of neglect: public relations as ‘corporate conscience’ or ethics counsel. Journal of Public Relations Research, 20 (3), 271-296.
Brown, A. (2020). Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement: Communication Approaches to Build and Maintain Corporate Reputation. Routledge. Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). (2020). Code of Conduct. Retrieved from https://www.cipr.co.uk/CIPR/Membership/Professional_Standards/CIPR/About_Us/Professional_Standards.aspx?hkey=ad007b97-52e4-4597-be5b-5d300eeb1873
Edgett, R. (2002). Toward an ethical framework for advocacy in public relations. Journal of Public Relations Research, 14(1), 1-26. Fawkes, J. (2007). Public relations models and persuasion ethics: a new approach. Journal of Communication Management, 11(4), 313-331.
Gower, K., & Davies, J. (2017). PR ethics and professionalism: The 'reflective practitioner' model. Journal of Communication Management, 21(1), 29-45.
Green, J. (2021). Risk management in public relations. In S. Watson (Ed.), The Handbook of Strategic Public Relations and Integrated Communications (2nd ed.). Kogan Page.
Grunig, J. E. (2006). Furnishing the edifice: Ongoing research on public relations as a strategic management function. Journal of Public Relations Research, 18(2), 151-176.
Grunig, J. E., & Grunig, L. A. (2017). Public Relations and Communication Management: Current Trends and Emerging Topics. Routledge.
Grunig, J.E. & Hunt, T.T. (1984). Managing Public Relations, Rinehart and Winston, Holt.
Grunig, L., Grunig, J. and Dozier, D. (2002). Excellent public relations and effective organisations: a study of communication management in three countries. In Grunig, J., Grunig, L. and Dozier, D. (Eds), Lawrence Erlbaum.
Jackson, D. and Moloney, K. (2019). Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. A qualitative study of ethical PR practice in the United Kingdom. Public Relations Inquiry, 8(1), 87-101.
Jackson, M., Chorazy, E., Sison, M. D., & Wise, D. (2022). Public relations ethics in the 21st century: A state-of-the-field review. Journal of Communication Management, 26(3), 294-314. https://doi:10.1108/JCOM-12-2020-0164.Jones, L. (2015). Ethical decision-making in public relations. Sage.
Keghku, T. (2020) Ethics and professionalism in public relations in Nigeria PR report 2020 BHM Research & Intelligence, Lagos Nigeria.
L'Etang, J. (2017). Public relations ethics: A contradiction in terms? In R. Tench & L. Yeomans (Eds.), Exploring Public Relations (4th ed.). Pearson. Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Code of Professional Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.nipr.org.ng/images/downloadable_documents/brochures/code_of_conduct. pdf Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Professional Standards Guide (PSG), 2004.
Nwosu, I. (2019). Ethical challenges in public relations practice in Nigeria. Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 11(1), 1-16.
Nyitse, G. T., & Agbele, D. J. (2023). Digitalisation, public relations practice and ethics in Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 15(1), 94-103.
Nyitse, G. T., Inja, N., & Agbam, W. E. (2023). Public Relations Ethics and Professionalism in Nigeria. Elizade University Journal of Innovative Communications and Media Studies, 2. ISSN: 2971-5903.
Okorie, N. (2020). The role of public relations in Nigeria's economic growth and development. Journal of Public Relations, 9(3), 96-115.
Olatunji, R. W. (2020). Ethics in Professional Practice and Nation Building. Paper presented at the Global Alliance Breakfast, Business Club, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Olatunji, R. W. (2014). As others see us: Differing perceptions of public relations in Nigeria among practitioners and the general public. Public Relations Review, 40(3), 466-472.
Oyeleke, A. S., Ude, O. F., Ewa-ibe, B., & Nwamini, S. (2018). Knowledge and application of ethics of public relations: assessment of professionals in Ebonyi state. South-East Journal of Public Relations, 1(1), 79-89.
Rasheed, O. (2021). Exploring the factors affecting the ethical values of public relations practice in Lagos State, Nigeria. Covenant Journal of Communication, 8(2), 45-64.
Silverman, D. (2016). Qualitative Research. Sage.
Smith, R. (2018). Codes of ethics and professional practice in public relations: A comparative study. Journal of Public Relations Research, 30(3), 109-124.
Soo-Yeon, K. & Eyun-Jung, K. (2014). An exploratory study of ethics codes of professional public relations associations: Proposing modified universal codes of ethics in public relations. Journal of Mass Media Ethics: Exploring Questions of Media Morality, 29(4), 238-257. https://10.1080/08900523.2014.946602
Udomisor, I. W., & Osademe, B. O. (2013). A critical assessment of the regulation of the practice of public relations in Nigeria. Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism, 3, 144. https://doi:10.4172/2165-7912.1000144.
Watson, T. (2021). Public relations ethics – The early history of the Code of Athens. Bournemouth University.
White, P. (2019). Effective Public Relations: Practical Strategies for Success. Kogan Page.