What to do When Your Job Contradicts Your Own Faith

If you have read my two previous posts you might already know that I am doing my internship in a local television channel in Surabaya, Indonesia. As many might have known Indonesia has the largest Muslim population and July is the ‘Muslim holy month of fasting’. This also means jobs dealing with Muslim events are uncountable like fishes in the sea, and one of the main events that I contribute in is a Muslim event – Bazaar Ramadhan 2013.

So basically this event comprise of different segments. The event starts at 12pm opened by a religious band, continued with a demonstration on how to wear a fashionable ‘hijab’ or burqa, and not forgetting the ‘tausiyah’ or known in Indonesia as the Muslim preaching by an ‘ustadz or ustadzah’ (muslim cleric). The event itself is fine for me, the problem arise during the pre-event. I am a non-muslim, I believe in Christianity. I am familiar with Muslim values but still because I am a non-muslim there are several things that shocked me.

For this event the first task I was given is to brief my host. So I gave him a brief coaching on how the event will run, his costume and make-ups as well as other necessary information. The host asked me about who will give the tausiyah where during that time I myself did not know what tausiyah actually is. I told him that I would confirm the details (as I do not want to look foolish and embarrassed) by email. So right after I briefed him for the event, I went to see my supervisor, Yanuar, and asked him what the word tausiyah really means in order to be able to confirm the details.

The awkwardness has not end, the next day I was given the task to go to a Mosque – Muslim house of prayers – to settle the deal with the Muslim cleric, Ustadz Mochtar, who will give tausiyah to the audience. I went with a senior colleague from work and another intern.

So we arrived in the Mosque and saw my colleagues took off their shoes before entering the Mosque, so I did the same. We went up to see the cleric and settle the deal. After settling the deal we set goodbye to the cleric and wish to see him soon in the event. I saw him shaking hands with my male colleague and I give out my hand to shook his hand too because I was brought up in a family that teach me to always shook somebody’s hand to show politeness and respect. When I did that to the cleric my first crisis arouse!

He did not shake my hands back, at first I was heavily upset and insulted as I thought how could a Muslim leader be so arrogant. When I entered the car I asked my colleague what is the deal with that, turns out my colleagues told me that in Muslim teaching physical contact between male and females are not tolerable. Despite the fact that many Muslims did not follow that rule, but a Muslim Cleric will always follow Muslim rules, as they should act like so.

This was definitely a culture shock for me. Despite the fact that I am born and raised in Indonesia, this is totally foreign to me, as I have never made familiar with any of those in both my family and my religion. This is not the only culture shock I encounter, being in the event itself I was indirectly forced to listen and watch about Muslim. This is not a problem for me because I am quite a fair person. I am open minded, as personally I want to do this job professionally. This definitely reminds me on a class situation when Bridget Tombleson (PR International) asked us what will we do if we work for a company that contradicts our own belief. During the time I did not have an answer but now I do.

My answer is:

As long as it is not evil and it does not violates any law. I would try my best to be professional to do a job that does not conform to my beliefs.

My opinion might not apply to everyone but for those who are currently experiencing a job that contradicts your own beliefs, just stay PROFESSIONAL!

Good luck for all of your current and/or upcoming internship!

Ethical considerations in Public Relations

The practice of Public Relations is intertwined with the observation of ethical codes. This is because the profession on its own largely engages a number of people being different stakeholders for an organization.

Therefore, managed and considerate communications should be practiced in the field as it is the universal common law of human interaction. Also, with good mannered and ethical Public Relations personnel, an organization can create strong ties with different stakeholders, acknowledging the professional and ethical conduct of the Public Relations officer.

Communication in Public Relations goes far beyond mere talk. Its communication feature entails written documents as well as spoken words, therefore, careful scrutiny has to be done to the choice of words used as it can either make or break the organization’s image, performance as well as the productivity level of socio-economic ties of the organization.

Nonetheless, sometimes Public Relations people are wedged in a situation that presents ethical issues in a challenging and distinctive way. These are situations where the PR practitioner will be caught in between protecting the organization’s reputation and brand image and at the same time protecting the integrity towards the public and upholding the trust that the public has for the organizations. It is such cases when the dilemma presents both sides as ethical decisions to make.

Thus, PR practitioners have to ensure they advance the flow of true and accurate information, protect private and confidential information, avoid conflict of interest and work to strengthen the public’s trust towards the organization. When such cases arise, where there is need for accurate information that would jeopardize the organization’s trust from its publics, a practitioner should avoid saying ‘no comment’ and being quick to close the public and media out of the picture.

It is that ‘no comment’ that creates room for speculation and rumors, which spread vigorously like fire with no good end to the organization’s reputation. It is better to admit impediments and apologize, taking responsibility of the cause and owning up to responsibility for finding a resolution. It may not represent the organization well, but the public will eventually acknowledge the sincerity of the organization and pledge back their loyalty. Unlike if they do not and the issue drags n with media and activist groups ‘attacking’ the organization.

In a nutshell, it can be said that prevention is better than cure. That it is best to always keep on the good side, but at times crisis come our way even on the good side, then there will be need to resolve the problem in the most decent, humane and ethical manner. Therefore, practitioners should zero in on putting values and principles into play for daily tasks and challenges.

IS THERE ANYTHING LIKE ‘EXCESSIVE CSR ‘IN PR?

As my internship tenure drew near to its last days, I asked my supervisor the above question and was intrigued by it. The reason why I asked him was because throughout my time in the Corporation, whenever we go for CSR project handovers, members of the public would pass remarks that we have come to give them free t-shirts and other incentives (more like enticements in this case) then find the next victimized family to build a house for or groceries. That kept me wondering whether such is a complaint or compliment.

My supervisor then asked me to ponder whether it would be best to stop giving out the freebies during CSR handing over ceremonies or just continue. Well, for some time I thought it depends on the kind of people you are giving to; whether they are grateful or ungrateful. Then finally, I realized it is not about who is being given what but how loyal are you to your key publics. Yes, critics will be there, but they are meant for the Corporation to realize its flaws and create room for improvement.

The Corporation is known to give out goodie-bags whenever they go out to the public during events. On the other hand, the public always expect the Corporation to bring some goodies for them, so their expectations are always met. Such comments can mean two things;

1.   

   The comment is a complaint, therefore there is need for improvement, for instance – change t-shirts to umbrellas or water bottles.

OR

2.      The comment is a compliment, which would suggest loyalty of the Corporation to its key publics so much that they already understand how it operates with its loyal clientele.

Nonetheless, it is the duty of the Corporation to carry out research in order to decide what to do, but for this discussion, I would like you to ponder on the scenario and ask yourself as a PR student whether we can say there are times when Organizations should just lay back and not do much for the public (whether it is big CSR projects or just mere giving of small corporate gifts)? Can we ever say a deed is too little to be appreciated and stop doing it? Or should the Corporation remain loyal to its cause and do it anyway? Ponder on that.