Right now the U.S. is in a heated debate over healthcare. As a small business owner and professional communicator, with clients in the healthcare industry I am following this issue very closely. I find the amount of disinformation raging on all media fronts disturbing indeed.

In spite of what some people think, communications professional have a responsibility to help clients craft messages based on facts. It is to no one’s benefit to engage in dishonesty.

As a member of the Public Relations Society of America, I am required to adhere to a Code of Ethics, which includes the following:

A member shall not intentionally communicate false or misleading information and is obligated to use care to avoid communication of false or misleading information.

Healthcare is a serious matter that affects every American. Its costs are out of control and must be tackled before the largest segment of our population is at retirement age. Thus, communications based on facts, not prejudice or self-interest, must govern our actions. Communications professionals must take the lead to disseminate accurate information, regardless of personal points of view. To quote President Barak Obama, “I always believe that ultimately, if people are paying attention, then we get good government and good leadership. And when we get lazy, as a democracy and civically start taking shortcuts, then it results in bad government and politics.”

Posted in Marketing Mentor |

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