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Ethics Corner

By Kelly Foley posted 04-09-2021 15:02

  
The Ethics Corner is designed to highlight ethical issues of interest to the political consulting community. The continued success of this column depends on our readers letting us know either of situations within their own experience, or more general questions with ethical implications. Please send your questions or comments to ethics@theaapc.org. All identifying information will be held strictly confidential. Read on for this week's dilemma and scroll to the end for our commentary.

*Note while many legal issues are referenced here, this should not be construed as legal advice and consultants and campaigns are urged to seek their own legal and compliance advice.

Situation:

A staff member wants to have a lit drop the Sunday before election at targeted churches about how a group called the "Citizens' Liberty League" is refusing to endorse the opponent because of their bad record on an issue important to the congregation of those churches. The facts are true, except there is no such thing as the "Citizens' Liberty League." Is it okay to do the lit drop?


AAPC Discussion:


To falsely create a group or distribute attacks anonymously is unethical and depending on the jurisdiction likely a violation of campaign finance law. The AAPC Code of Ethics also requires campaigns to truthfully document and cite their criticisms of an opponent's record. Fake organizations, anonymous attacks and false attacks are deeply unethical and violate the spirit of American Democracy. The First Amendment and the US Supreme Court do recognize the right to anonymous speech by individuals. But that is not the case for political candidates, groups and causes. Campaigns who are not proud of their attacks, should ask themselves of the wisdom and ethics of their planned effort.

AAPC is committed to the ethical participation in American Democracy and the running of ethical campaigns. All members of the AAPC and our award recipients are expected to abide by the AAPC Code of Ethics. Further, the AAPC believes all political consultants and campaigns should behave in an ethical manner. 
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