Public relations and the law: A survey of practitioners

Abstract

Many public relations professionals may be placing themselves and client organizations at risk of legal liability because they have little or no familiarity with important legal issues that affect public relations activities, according to this study. A survey of Public Relations Society of America members showed that today's professionals consider themselves only some-what familiar with the law in the areas of commercial speech, contracts, financial public relations, copyright, privacy, libel, access to information, SEC regulations and professional malpractice. The study indicates that lawyers often play key roles in public relations decisions, suggesting the potential for encroachment. Contrary to past commentary on the strained relationship between public relations and legal counsel, most public relations professionals view their relationships with attorneys as either excellent or good.