The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Prisa) says the saga involving Bell Pottinger, a United Kingdom-based public relations company, highlights the need for regulation of the public relations industry and for all professionals to adhere to the code ethics.
The reflection of credibility is based on how public relations is practiced versus how it should not be practiced.
MD, Taurus Communications, Board Member of Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA) Kavitha Kalicharan, says the Bell Pottinger saga has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Prisa and has brought the whole industry into disrepute.
Prisa finds disheartening that a lack of accountability has been demonstrated.
— Kavitha Kalicharan, MD, Taurus Communications, Board Member of Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA)
Also read: Bell Pottinger's apology is 'quite pathetic' - Brown
Kalicharan says Bell Pottinger has violated serious codes of ethics. She says the PR firm has done enormous damage to South Africa's nation-building efforts.
Kalicharan explains that moving forward, stricter regulations would need to be imposed to safeguard the industry from similar reputation damage. She adds that this will ensure wrong doers will face repercussions and be held accountable for their actions.
Take a listen:
