The International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the leading global network for public relations professionals, has unveiled in Abu Dhabi its newly adopted Code of Conduct.
The importance of this guide to ethical practices for PR professionals worldwide was highlighted at the 2011 International Public Relations Association Gulf Chapter (IPRA-GC) Conference, which was attended by over 200 regional and international communications professionals and media.
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the National Media Council served as the patron of the 2011 IPRA-GC Conference. The IPRA Code of Conduct in both English and Arabic was launched by Richard Linning, Global President of IPRA, Faisal Al Zahrani, President of IPRA-GC and Sunil John, Vice President IPRA-GC and CEO, ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller.
The 18-point IPRA Code of Conduct requires public relations practitioners to commit themselves to high standards of professional behaviour by observing guidelines. The guidelines include acting with honesty and integrity at all times so as to secure and retain the confidence of those with whom the practitioner comes into contact; being open and transparent in declaring their name, organisation and the interest they represent; avoiding any professional conflicts of interest and disclosing such conflicts to affected parties when they occur; taking all reasonable steps to ensure the truth and accuracy of all information provided and not creating or using any organisation to serve an announced cause but which actually serves an undisclosed interest.
“The IPRA Code of Conduct is an essential guide to ethical practice for public relations professionals here in the Gulf and, indeed, across the world,” said Richard Linning, Global President, IPRA speaking at the IPRA-GC Conference in Abu Dhabi.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to unveil this important international charter in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, which is also a rapidly maturing regional communications hub.”
The keynote sessions were moderated by Tim Sebastian, former BBC journalist and founder of the internationally renowned Doha Debates and marked by the presence of a wide range of delegates.