Public Relations Ethics and Professionalism

'An unusual and original book which will become a classic point of reference; Jo Fawkes brings a new dimension to public relations literature. Not only does she present a critical and comprehensive overview of key issues and debates, but also a reflexive piece of writing that draws in compelling autobiographical insights. This highly readable book explores public relations through a rich combination of philosophical, sociological, and psychological and psychoanalytical literature to provide a multi-level layered analysis.'

Jacquie L’Etang,Professor, Queen Margaret University, Scotland

'Johanna Fawkes’s application of Jungian ideas relating to the ‘fragmented self’, the ‘contradictory messiness of being’ and the ‘shadow’ to an exploration of professionalism – and Public Relations ethics in particular – is dazzlingly original. Moreover, her presence throughout as the overtly subjective, deeply questioning, fallible, researcher makes this text both intellectually enriching – and profoundly moving.'

Richard Lance Keeble,Professor, University of Lincoln, UK

'This volume is required reading, explicating ethics and performativity. Johanna Fawkes situates responsibility within a being that is embodied, thoughtful, and informed by a textured Jungian perspective.'

Ronald C. Arnett,Chair and Professor, Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies, Duquesne University, USA

'Dr. Fawkes will have none of the ethical prancing of public relations and delivers a powerful and personal narrative that takes us to the wild side of Jungian psychology and shadowy public relations. It fruitfully helps us deal with duality, complexity and contradiction.'

Øyvind Ihlen, Professor, University of Oslo, Norway.

'You learn most about ethics not through smooth presentations that try to package the latest theory, but through the juxtaposition of perspectives that make you stop and think. This book makes you stop and think. Johanna Fawkes does that by bringing together a profession often characterised by surface image with the writings of Jung, who invites us to go deep, to look behind the image, at narratives most often not examined. She does this brilliantly, enabling the reader to interrogate and integrate theory and practice. This forms a challenge to the Public Relations profession, but goes beyond that, raising questions about professional ethics in general, not least about the relationship between integrity, image and identity. It is a book both intellectually stimulating and practically honest and clear, and should be on the book shelves of all researchers, teachers, consultants and practitioners in this area.'

Simon Robinson,Professor, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK