Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2012
Source Publication
Journal of Mass Media Ethics
Abstract
This study evaluates the ethical criteria lobbyists consider in their professional activities using Ruth Edgett’s model for ethically-desirable public relations advocacy. Data were collected from self-administered surveys of 222 registered lobbyists in Oregon. A factor analysis reduced 18 ethical criteria to seven underlying factors describing lobbyists’ ethical approaches to their work. Results indicate that lobbyists consider the following factors in their day-to-day professional activities: situation, strategy, argument, procedure, nature of lobbying, priority, and accuracy. This framework, derived from Edgett’s 10 criteria, illustrates the importance of context while incorporating ideas from recognized ethical theories.
Comments
Accepted version. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, Vol. 27, No. 2 (2012): 97-114. DOI: 10.1080/08900523.2012.694276. © Taylor & Francis 2012. Used with permission.