Corporate Reputation and Ethical Concerns

Refer to the PRSA Board of Ethics and Professional Standards Code of Ethics and build an ethical assessment of the case below.

Create a table with a column for each of the PRSA's statements of professional values, and then include elements of the case in each column.

Write a paper answering the question: Is there significant ethical and/or reputation concern for the organization?

• If your response is yes, focus on evaluating the key ethical problems.
• If your response is no, focus on explaining why the case is not an ethical issue.

Case:

You are the director of public relations for Megabucks Energy Company, a Houston-based Fortune 500 oil and gas exploration and production company. Megabucks has been experiencing declining profits due to drops in oil and gas prices. Recent drilling on one of the company's properties in the Java Sea has produced promising results of a significant new oil and gas reservoir. Although geological testing is incomplete, rumors are flying in the marketplace about the potential of this new well to significantly increase Megabucks's profits. Senior management asks you to prepare a news release that responds to these rumors and downplays the significance of the find. As part of your research, you discover internal reports that show that this new well is, indeed, a major discovery and that further testing is planned simply to determine the size of the reservoir.

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

• Be between 2-3 pages in length, with a separate title page and reference page.
• Formatted according to CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.
• Include a minimum of 2 current and credible sources. Sources should be adequately chosen to provide substance and perspectives on the issue.
• Present an effective table as part of the evidence for the argument.
• Make a strong evaluation that grounds the observations in the course material.