An ethics controversy erupted last year when a leading public relations firm, representing Facebook, spread negative and inaccurate information about Facebook’s competitor, Google, without identifying Facebook as its client. The situation, widely reported in major trade, business and consumer media, provides a “teachable moment” for public relations practitioners and students about inappropriate ethical practices in the social media realm. This master class in public relations ethics, focusing on social media, will familiarize participants with the PRSA Code of Ethics and other PRSA ethics resources, offer insights into real-world ethics cases, and provide a social media ethics case study for discussion. 

About the Speaker:
Deborah A. Silverman, Ph.D., APR, is an associate professor and associate chair of the Communication Department at Buffalo State College and faculty advisor to the campus’s PRSSA chapter. Dr. Silverman is the chair of PRSA’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards, a member of the national Commission on Public Relations Education, a past member of the PRSA national board of directors, and has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Her research focuses on public relations ethics, crisis communication, and service learning. She currently is collaborating with Dr. Karla Gower of the University of Alabama on a study of ethics courses in the PR curriculum at colleges in the United States – the first phase of a larger research project on ethics instruction in the PR workplace. Dr. Silverman, who has been recognized frequently for her professional and academic work, earned her Ph.D. degree at the University at Buffalo.

Notes:

• Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.
• Enjoy a lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
• The program will begin promptly at noon.