Author Question: Is all ghostwriting in public relations unethical? Is it unethical for a public relations ... (Read 115 times)

Capo · **on:** Aug 11, 2018

Is all ghostwriting in public relations unethical? Is it unethical for a public relations practitioner to write a speech for which another individual receives credit?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Would you have advised Pets. com to sue Robert Smigel? Why or why not?

What will be an ideal response?

Sammyo · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answers may vary, of course, but in most public-relations ghostwriting, there is
no intent to deceive. Audiences generally known that speakers may have had help
writing their speech. News releases rarely carry personal bylines. A gray area
may be a ghostwritten book for which a celebrity client claims credit; just as in
the medical journal case, an intent to deceive now becomes an issue.

Answer to Question 2

Many, and probably most, practitioners view lawsuits as a last resort. However, if
a party makes, persistent, damaging, untrue claims about a client and will not
desist, a practitioner must consider advising a lawsuit to protect the client's
reputation. A host of variables, of course, can affect this decision.