PRSA Code Of Ethics: The Case Of Gotham Gardens

The Case of Gotham Gardens
In the Case of the Gotham Gardens, the specific ethical issue is that the company is withholding information from the public. As a working developer, it is my job is to build good credibility within the community. Although, my supervisor requested to have me not include information from the EPA reports about the landfill history;I have decided to include the information about the landfill history anyways. This decision is based upon the PRSA code of ethics and my own ethical reasoning. I feel that I am obligated to include the information about the landfill history, despite the consequences of going against work orders. Based on the PRSA code of ethics I have concluded that it is my obligation as a member to stay
loyal to the public, as well as provide honesty and fairness. If I did not include the landfill history information to the public it will go against the core values of the PRSA code of ethics. The parties that are affected is the Gotham Gardens PR company and The Public ( people in the community).
As the insider, working developer, I have weighed out both outcomes of whether to follow through with my supervisor’s request to include information about the landfill history or not. I found that there is more implications and negative consequences if I choose to not inform the public about the landfill history. Loyalty to the company is still at high priority for me, but so is my loyalty to the public. I feel that it should be in the company’s best interest to maintain loyalty to the public’s interest. According to the PRSA code of ethics, under “Disclosure of Information”- it states that the intent of a PR member is: “to build trust with the public by revealing all information needed for responsible decision making.” By withholding information about the landfill history it violates PRSA code of ethics. If we want our company to remain credible, we must follow through on our PRSA standards, in order to show the public that we are on their side. This will create community, respect, and trust, that will help increase customer satisfaction, and also keep maintain loyal members. I see that there is conflict between my loyalty to the company and my loyalty to the public, as my supervisor wants to
conceal the EPA information report. I as a PR member and working developer, I will persuade my company into doing the right thing. I have previously outlined the core values from the PRSA Code of ethics which are Loyalty, Honesty, and Integrity. I will now discuss the consequences of not abiding by the PRSA Code of ethics. One main reason is, if the EPA reports were ever to be released to the public, our company will be at risk for termination, and the public will try and retaliate against us. This puts our reputations at stake, as a company we should try to preserve our loyalty to our clients by being honest and keeping an open communication with the public. Even though, the containment of the land is at low risks, as a working developer of the company I must try and maintain to keep it at a low risks to the public. By informing them of all potential hazards and including the EPA reports it will demonstrate credibility, honesty, and ensure them that we are doing our best to keep the community safe. The external factors of the landfill problem is that there are many different demographics that are potentially at risks as well, such as the elderly, and children. Therefore, as a law abiding citizen, and PR member I must be completely honest about all activities and history of the landfill. The steps that our company should take to keep potential hazards at low risks is to, 1) keep the public well informed about the landfill history for the greater good of the community and our company’s reputation 2) Create regulations to maintain low potential hazards. I suggest that the public also takes repercussions to prevent further damage, and make regulations such as putting limits on what to plant in the landfill. Again, as a company if we do not maintain integrity, loyalty to the public, and honesty, then we are risking our reputation, breaking public’s trust, and breaking the PRSA code of ethics. It should be in our best interest to serve the public well, as they will help our company thrive.