Law and Ethics

Question 1

What is DMCA - Digital Millennium Copyright Act?

Answer 1

Enacted Oct. 28, 1998, an updated version of copyright laws to deal with the special challenges of regulation digital material.

Question 2

Fair comment vs. Fair use

Answer 2

Fair comment insulates a journalist against slander; info must be related to community interest; true or privileged.
Fair use involves copyright

Question 3

Plagiarism vs. Copyright Infringement

Answer 3

Plagiarism can be treated as fraud or theft of intellectual property. Not the same as copyright infringement, both are violations of intellectual property rights.

Copyright infringement involves misrepresentation of someone else’s words or images without approval or compensation, plagiarism centers on falsely representing another’s ideas or words as your own.

Question 4

General ethical principles for PR

Answer 4

1. Act in the public interest
2. Honesty and integrity as your goals
3. Ensure accuracy and truth
4. Deal fairly with all publics

Question 5

PRSA Ethical Decision process

Answer 5

1. Define the ethical issue or conflict
2. Identify internal and external factors
3. Identify key values
4. Identify those impacted and define your obligations to them
5. Select ethical principles to guide decisions
6. Make your decision and justify

Question 6

Key Values - from PRSA Code of Ethics

Answer 6

LAHI -
Loyalty,
Advocacy,
Honestly,
Independence

Question 7

What is corporate speech?

Answer 7

Addresses political or social issues and has FA protection

Question 8

What is commercial speech?

Answer 8

Deals with transactions or desire for profit; less protection