The Worldwide Widget Co$.($WWC$)$ has a nondisclosure policy that's set in stone. Smythe & Smythe Public Relations has just won the WWC account and all the account personnel working on the account have signed WWC$\text{'}$s non$-$disclosure policy form. The forms are on file in WWC$\text{'}$s Law Dept.

Three weeks after work for the new client has started, the account team is given a briefing about a new product that will revolutionize the widget market. The new widget model is half the price of conventional widgets and does the work in half the time. In addition, secret tests show that it lasts twice as long. The account team is cautioned not to say a word about this to anyone.

An S&S PR junior staffer discloses all he knows about the new widget to an editor with the Newtown News. Which provision of the PRSA Code of Ethics applies most here?

Disclosure of information

Safeguarding confidences

Free flow of information

Conflicts of interest