Edelman, Saudi and more - ethics examined in PRWeek's Beyond the Noise podcast

News that Edelman has started working with the government of Saudi Arabia has reignited a debate around industry ethics.

To discuss the issues, Beyond the Noise this week welcomes industry stalwart Trevor Morris, co-author of Public Relations Ethics: The Real-World Guide. Regular podcast host Frankie Oliver, founder of New Society, also gives her take, while PRWeek UK editor John Harrington asks the questions.

PRWeek UK’s Beyond the Noise podcast, which is published on alternate weeks, looks at some of the biggest issues affecting comms and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify or your favourite platform.

Morris and Oliver disagree on several points this week. On the topic of whether working with a country like Saudi Arabia can be justified, Morris suggests it might depend on the brief - a road safety or tourism campaign for the Kingdom may be considered fairly benign, for example.

Oliver takes a harder line. In reference to any campaign to improve the country's reputation, she says: "Just using the lipstick gloss of celebrity and travel to present a positive image of Saudi Arabia is, I think, questionable."

Other issues are raised, including the fact many more agencies work with or in China, another country with a record of human rights violations, without widespread criticism.

"Why is Saudi worse than China?" asks Morris.

We look at the reputational impact on the agencies, and on employee sentiment, of working with controversial clients. The podcast also asks: are some industries now too hot to handle from an ethical stance?

Separately, the ethical questions around the recent 'cash for coverage' scandal are also put under the microscope.

On a lighter note, we celebrate the Lionesses' major sporting and communications success at the Euros in Top of the Fortnight.

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