Public Relations and Social Marketing

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND SOCIAL MARKETING 4(1+3)

Lesson 7 : Public Relation – Law and Ethics

Fundamental Rights

Public Relations persons generally exercise the freedom and rights of the ordinary citizen as guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

Various aspects of personal liberty are explained in Articles 19 to 22 of the Indian Constitution. Personal liberty is the most basic and natural foundation of all fundamental rights. These four Articles form the backbone of fundamental rights chapter.

Article 19 guaranteed six freedoms to all citizens. They are:

1. The right to freedom of speech and expression.
2. The right to assemble peaceably, without arms.
3. The right to form associations or unions.
4. The right to move freely throughout the territory of India.
5. The right to reside the settle in any part of the territory of India, and
6. The right to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

Freedom of speech and expression means the right to express one’s own convictions and opinions freely by words of mouth, writing, printing, pictures or any other mode. It thus includes the expression of one’s ideas through any communicable medium or visible representation, such as, gesture, signs and the like.

Thought the Constitution does not contain in express terms the freedom of press, it was held by the Supreme Court in several cases, to be integral part of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1) (a).

Restrictions:

Article 19(2) enables the legislature to impose reasonable restrictions in the public interest on the right of freedom of speech and expression on the grounds of security of the state, friendly relations with foreign sates, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, incitement to an office and sovereignty and integrity of India. The term public order is of broad import and synonymous with public peace, safety and tranquility.