Final answer:
Unethical behavior can undermine public relations efforts, and organizations should not rely on PR alone to resolve management issues or use 'spin' to cover up the truth. Ethical communication is the foundation of effective public relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice of public relations is a complex one that intertwines with ethical concerns and strategic communication. When considering whether public relations can succeed if an organization's actions are unethical, it's important to remember that unethical behavior can significantly hinder public trust and therefore the effectiveness of any public relations efforts. Furthermore, it's a common misconception that the public will quickly forgive an organization's mistakes; recovery from missteps often requires a considerable amount of time and genuine effort to repair relationships and rebuild reputation.
It is also not always true that good public relations can solve the problem if management errs; deep-rooted issues often require systemic change, not just strategic communication. Lastly, the concept of "spin" in public relations can be seen as an attempt to influence perception and cover up the truth, but this is not a sustainable practice and is generally frowned upon by ethical public relations professionals. Instead, public relations should aim to facilitate open, honest, and ethical communication between organizations and their publics.