ABSTRACT
The influence public relations practitioners exert in the public forum is critically examined in this chapter, through five cases that detail practices in litigation public relations, political campaigns, cause campaigns, and governmental communication, probing the ethical limitations of such practices within a democratic system. How does the practice of public relations contribute to effective self-governance or challenge it? Does the source of funding for public affairs communications impact the degree of ethical obligations held by those communicating? Should “official” communications of government officials or political candidates be held to the same ethical principles as those of private figures, or higher or lower standards? The actions of contemporary politicians and public figures, from First Ladies Melania Trump and Michelle Obama—and their husbands-—to the activist students from Parkland, Florida, are assessed through a variety of philosophical and ethical principles.
