GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR PHOTOJOURNALISTS, VIDEOGRAPHERS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROFESSIONALS: Videographers STORYTELLING THROUGH VIDEO: • • Photojournalists COMPOSITION AND REPRESENTATION: • • • • • • Ensure composition of photos respects the dignity and humanity of the talent, avoiding sensationalism or stereotypes. Include diverse talent to reflect the true demographic makeup of communities. Be mindful of cultural sensitivities, protocols and permissions. Aim for authenticity by capturing everyday life, challenges, and achievements of various communities, rather than only their struggles. Avoid framing that reinforces negative stereotypes (e.g., depicting certain races only in crime or poverty). Do not edit images to distort or misrepresent talent, including altering skin tone or features. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: • • • • Obtain informed consent and consult talent on photo use. Be transparent about the purpose and potential use of images, and co-design agreement with the talent. Remunerate talent when appropriate, particularly if their image is used in a way that generates profit. Respect cultural protocols, such as the restriction on photographing sacred sites or ceremonies without permission. • • B-roll can have a powerful impact, and misaligned footage can unintentionally shape viewers’ perceptions in negative ways. For example, when discussing crime rates in general, avoid using B-roll that shows only First Nation or other negatively racialised communities, as this can unfairly suggest a correlation between race or poverty and crime. TECHNICAL AND ETHICAL PRACTICES: • • • | CHAPTER 01 Use video to tell stories that include multiple perspectives from within a community. Ensure that videos reflect the complexity and diversity of experiences, avoiding one-dimensional portrayals. Use interviews and voice-overs from community members to provide context and depth. Be mindful of what B-roll or alternative footage you align with voiceovers. Ensure that visuals paired with narration do not reinforce harmful stereotypes or perpetuate biased assumptions about certain communities or topics. Pay attention to how lighting, angles, and framing can impact the perception of subjects. Avoid using footage that may misrepresent or exploit the subjects, or are sensationalised Include context within the video to help audiences understand the broader social, cultural, and historical 17