Public relations professionals use communications to develop or maintain trusting, productive relationships between our clients or employers and their stakeholders. We promote the views of those we represent to contribute to public debate and informed decision making in a democratic society.

We balance our role as advocates for individuals or groups with the public interest. We must also balance a commitment to promote open communication with the privacy rights of individuals and organisations.

All members are bound by the Code of Ethics, making the commitment on joining and annually when they renew their membership. The Member Register is a publicly searchable list of all current members of the Institute.

Key principles in the Code of Ethics include honesty, professionalism and balancing openness and privacy. From a practical viewpoint, the Code provides an actionable framework that guides members in their day to day behaviours and decision making.

The Code of Ethics:
• Regulates the conduct of the public relations practitioner in their relationship to their client;
• Regulates their relationship with other members and the profession itself;
• Imposes obligations in relation to the public.

View the full Code of Ethics here.

View the Global Alliance Code of Ethics here.

Making an ethics complaint against a member.

Anyone can bring a complaint against a member under the Code of Ethics. Read more on the complaints process here. For further information or advice on the  Code of Ethics, please contact the Chief Executive.