Ethics of story sharing
- bryonyball9
- Jun 6, 2023
- 7 min read
One of my pieces of on-going research has been exploring the ethics of story sharing and image sharing. How can we present/share/show/tell people’s stories - especially when they are from people of marginalised backgrounds. From speaking to individuals and through workshops one of the things that came up most was how rigid and restrictive mainstream media is when it comes to consent/consent forms/consent process in sharing others' work. Also how so many people in the art world (and in positions of power) feel that the importance of a piece of art should hold power/outweigh possible harm to those in the process.
One of the outcomes of these discussions and research was creating a document that can be an example of how to share stories minimising harm and giving power, autonomy, agency and respect to the person whose story/image/experience it is.
Below is the outcome. You can download this doccument for personal use here:
Process and ethics document: For sharing imagery and/or stories and experiences of people more marginalised (particularly survivors).
Workshop notes:
Consent and this idea of on-going consent rather than a one time contract or exchange. How to create a document or contract that incorporates this.
Impact of where the work is platformed (physical space, publication, online etc.) Implications with what that space already has to say/has said, what it is linked to, connotations within this.
If it is commissioned or a response to a brief/submission; the differences and power dynamics within this. How we can challenge this.
What does being marginalised mean? What does the term survivor mean?
What stereotypes look like and how we can perpetuate them ourselves?
What is the impact of misrepresentation?
People’s experiences of misrepresentation in the arts specifically.
How can we create something that gives platforms the tools to challenge issues discussed?
From the workshop we put together documents of recommendations for people who are in the position of selecting and sharing imagery and words of marginalised people.
Process document:
Before commissioning/selecting/showing work, before inviting someone’s work/voice on your platform or before writing a brief:
Check in
What is the purpose of what you are doing? Why do you want to communicate what you do? What story or idea are you trying to show/share? Why?
How will you engage with this community and give back/support beyond this singular exchange?
How are you selecting/choosing? What are the reasons? Are you comfortable with this?
How much control do you want over the final work? Why?
Where is it you are finding the artists/individuals and who gets to access that information? Who might not see it and why? How can you change this?
After selecting/choosing the work:
Check in (Imagery):
Has the individual directed it/taken it themselves/you/someone external? Or have they responded to a brief? What limitations and barriers does that set and what might you need to be aware of?
What does the image portray? Have you checked the person happy with it or knows which one/s have been selected?
What are you trying to communicate or what story are you trying to tell with this image and how/where it is being shown? Has this been communicated clearly and honestly with the person in it? Have they been told the title of the piece/curated work/exhibition/visual space/feature
Is it reinforcing any harmful stereotypes? Have you discussed this with the person represented?
Are you perpetuating any problematic narratives?
Is this image alongside others? What is the relationship between them? Is there anything you need to consider?
Where is the image/images situated?
Is it around other images or stories?
If it is a building or physical space why are you placing it where it is? What else is around it? Any history/atmosphere/links to the space you should consider?
If it is a magazine/publication why are you placing it where it is (in what section/part/placement)? What else is around it? Any links you should consider?
If it is an online platform why are you placing it where it is (in what section/part/placement)? What else is around it? Any links you should consider?
Check in (Words/audio):
Has the individual written it/recorded it taken it or have you/someone external (e.g. interview)? Or have they responded to a brief? What limitations and barriers does that set and what might you need to be aware of?
What is the purpose of the story/experience? What is trying to be communicated? Have you checked the person happy with it/has seen their quotes or final edit? If not why not?
What are you trying to communicate or what story are you trying to tell with this piece and how/where it is being shown? Has this been communicated clearly and honestly with the person in it? Have they been told the title of the piece/curated work/podcast/visual space/feature?
Is it reinforcing any harmful stereotypes? Have you discussed this with the person represented?
Are you perpetuating any problematic narratives or ideas within this piece?
Is this piece alongside others? What is the relationship between them? Is there anything you need to consider?
Where is the piece situated?
Is it next to other words/pieces/audio? Is it part of a selection or series?
If it is a magazine/publication why are you placing it where it is (in what section/part/placement)? What else is around it? Any links you should consider?
If it is an online platform or podcast why are you placing it where it is (in what section/episode/part/placement)? What else is around/before it/after it? Any links you should consider?
If it is a building or physical space why are you placing it where it is? What else is around it? Any history/atmosphere/links to the space you should consider?
Recommendations:
Choose with thought:
Keep in mind that they might now feel like they are responsible for representing their whole identity through this one piece of work/interview/writing/image. Ask them if they have experienced being misrepresented before and what they most want to challenge and bear this in mind when you are editing/selecting/choosing/interviewing.
Research issues surrounding the story or persons lived experience and identity and how it has been oppressed/misrepresented so you have more understanding of it and keep that in mind in the process.
Autonomy of individual:
Check what Name/pronouns/history/bio they want including and use it accurately.
Let them see what you write about them or images you have selected before it goes public.
Inform:
Inform them of the progress, timescale and any details they need to know as well as if any changes are made to what has previously been explained or agreed.
Consider backlash and how to manage:
Ask people what message they want people to get from their story, also ask what they want people to know about them. Draw a plan for support if they get any comments/backlash/abuse from the work being in the public. Be prepared to engage with this if necessary and find out how they want support. If online, think about how to respond to comments, trolls and ask them how they want you to do this. Discuss safety (particularly if personal details are included and it puts them at risk) - how will you support in keeping them safe.
Make sure you keep someone safe - you never know how work can later impact someone but you can take responsibility to keep people safe within the process by communicating with them on their needs.
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Agreement for sharing the work, experiences of stories of others (this is to be used when you are not the journalist/interviewer or producer of the work but the editor/curator)
AGREEMENT FOR THOSE PLATFORMING OR SHARING STORIES, EXPERIENCES OR IMAGES
1. NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSE & RIGHTS
(a) The rights of this piece remain with the artist/individual. They do not need to request permission to publish this work on any other platforms or spaces. They have sole rights and ownership of their work.
(b) If the platform/publisher/curator wishes to showcase or publish the work on other spaces or platforms including social media they must ask for permission to do so from the author and be specific about which platforms and spaces and for any requirements of how/when etc.
(c) If the platform/publisher/curator wishes to use sections/quotes of the work or singular pieces in publicity of the piece, they must first ask the artist/individual. If they agree, check if the section/quote chosen to use is suitable and appropriate.
(d) The platform/publisher/curator acknowledges that the author may wish to remove their work from the platform/space at any time and does not have to give reason for wanting to do so. They can make this request in writing. The platform/publisher/curatormust do this where possible and realistic.
(e) The platform/publisher/curator must ask what name and details the author would like published alongside their work and must publish the details as requested.
(f) The author may wish to remove or edit words, names or details in the future and it is their right to do so.
2. FEES
The platform/publisher/curator must be clear about fees and draw up in writing the payment for work and any reimbursements of costs. This must be agreed before work takes place.
3. OBLIGATIONS OF THE PLATFORM/PUBLISHER/CURATOR
(a) The platform/publisher/curator will pay the author for their work in a timescale previously agreed between both parties.
(b) The platform/publisher/curator will remove the work in full or part or make any edits to the work or details published alongside it, as requested by the author, at any time where possible and realistic.
(c) The platform/publisher/curator must inform the artist/individual when they will publish or show the work and clear details around this (timescales, dates, address etc.)
(d) The platform/publisher/curator must request permission if they wish to use the work on other platforms including social media. They must inform the artist/individual the date and format they will be doing this so the artist/individual can confirm they are happy with this. If online they must ask if the artist/individual if they want comments on or off and how they want the platform/publisher to manage responses.
(e) If other platforms or people are interested in publishing or using the work the platform/publisher/curator must ask full permission from the artist/individual and connect them directly. The platform/publisher/curator will inform any platform interested that the artist/individual should be paid directly for any use of the work, in part or full (unless the author prefers for this not to be stated).
(f) The platform/publisher/curator must inform the author if they remove their work from the platform or space without prior agreement.
Agreed by ___________________________ ________
The platform/publisher/curator Date
Agreed by _________________ ________
The artist/individual Date
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