Final answer:
The assertion that the primary obligation of public relations is to ensure profitability is false. The main role of PR is to manage an organization's reputation and communication, not directly increase profits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that public relations, as a profession, has the primary obligation to ensure the profitability of the organization they represent is false. The primary role of public relations professionals is to manage the reputation and facilitate communication between an organization and its publics, which includes customers, employees, investors, and the general public. While profitability is important for any organization, the main goal of public relations is to build and maintain a positive image, foster community relations, manage crises, and provide strategic advice to support the organizations' overall objectives. This aspect differentiates public relations from advertising or direct marketing, which are more directly focused on increasing sales and profitability.
Famed economist Milton Friedman argued that the social responsibility of businesses is to increase its profits; however, this viewpoint does not encapsulate the multifaceted responsibilities of public relations within an organization. PR practitioners work within ethical boundaries to improve the image of their company or client through various means, including press releases, events, and media relations, rather than focusing solely on profit maximization.