IPR CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
The IPR Code
of professional practice was reviewed in 1985 and revisions adopted by special resolution at the Institute’s annual
general meeting on 9th April 1986.
1. Standard of professional conduct. A member shall have a positive duty
to observe the highest standards in the practice of public relations. Furthermore a member has the personal responsibility
at all times to deal fairly and honestly with his client, employees, past or present, with fellow members, with the media
of communication and above all else with the public.
2. Media communication. A member shall not engage in any practice which
tends to corrupt the integrity of the media of communication.
3. Undisclosed interest.
A member shall have the duty to ensure that the actual interest in any organisation with which he may be professionally
concerned is adequately declared.
4. Rewards to holders of
public office. A member shall not, with intend to further his interest (or those of his client or employer), offer to
give any rewards to a person holding public office if such action is consistent with the public interest.
5. Dissemination of information.
A member shall have a positive duty at all times to respect the truth and in this regard not to disseminate false or misleading
information knowingly or recklessly and to use proper care to avoid doing so inadvertently.
6. Confidential information.
A member shall not disclose (except upon the order of a court of competent jurisdiction) or make use of information given
or obtained in confidence from his employer or client, past or present, for the personal gain or otherwise.
7. Conflict of interest.
A member shall not present conflicting interest but may represent competing interest with the express consent of the parties
concerned.
8. Disclosure of beneficial
financial interest. A member with a beneficial financial interest in or from an organisation shall not recommend the use
of that organization, nor make use of its services on behalf of his client or employer, without declaring his interest.
9. Payment contingent
upon achievements. A member shall not negotiate or agree terms with a prospective employer or client on the basis of payment
contingent upon specific future public relations achievements.
10. Employment of holders
of public office. A member who employs or is responsible for employing or recruiting a member of either House of Parliament,
a member of the European Parliament or a person elected to public office, whether in a consultative or executive capacity,
shall disclose this fact, also the object and nature of the employment to the Executive Director of the Institute who shall
enter it in a register kept for these categories shall be directly responsible for disclosing or causing to be disclosed to
the Executive Director the same information as may relate to himself. (The register
referred to in this clause shall be open to public inspection at the office of the Institute during office hours).
11. Injury to other members.
A member shall not maliciously injure the professional reputation of another member.
12. Reputation of the profession.
A member shall not conduct himself in a manner which is or is likely to be detrimental to the reputation of the Institute
or the profession of public relations.
13. Upholding the code. A
member shall uphold this code, shall cooperate with fellow members in so doing and in enforcing decisions on any matter arising
from its application. If a member has a reason to believe that another member has been engaged in practices which may be in
breach of this code, it shall be his duty to inform the member concerned and then to inform the Institute if these practice
do not cease. It is the duty of all members to assist the Institute to implement this Code, and the Institute will support
any member so doing.
14. Other professions. A
member shall, when working in association with other professionals, respect the code of other professions and shall not knowingly
be party to any breach of such codes.
15. Professional updating.
A member shall be expected to be aware of, understand and observe this Code, any amendments to it and any other codes
which shall be incorporated into this Code and to remain up-to-date with the content and recommendations of any guidance or
practice papers as may be issued by the Institute and shall have a duty to take all reasonable steps to conform to good practice
as expressed in such guidance or practice papers.
16. Instruction of
others. A member shall not knowingly cause or permit another person or organisation to act in manner inconsistent with
this code or be a party to such action.
