Pledge

Consent conversations with groups

In storytelling, consent is a key consideration. The people we feature in our stories, those we tell stories about, those whose images we use, whose statements and perspectives frame the story, must have an equal say in how the story is told. Contributors have the right to decide on the terms of their story sharing and usage.

As a core ethic of dignified storytelling, consent from contributors must be freely given, fully informed, and obtained prior to any story gathering. However, informed consent must be actively pursued and must not be limited to a mere formality of getting signatures on a consent form. Adequate time must be allocated for ongoing dialogue with potential contributors that allows them to consider and meaningfully contribute to the story-gathering request. It is imperative that all involved stakeholders clearly understand the implications of their agreement to have their story – whether visual or written – collected, documented, and shared in line with any privacy or confidentiality wishes.

Here are some guidelines on seeking consent from contributors based on specific scenarios. 

Adults in a non-sensitive context

When featuring adults in a non-sensitve context:

  • Go through an informed consent process verbally with the whole group.
  • Ask individuals to affirm consent either by a show of hands, or a signature on a group consent form.
  • If individual signatures are not collected, then a representative of the group should sign on behalf of the group (if agreed with group members).
  • Any individual interviews or filming/photos with members of the group require individual consent.
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Amudat, Uganda: Agropastoral women harvest greens in a junior Farmer Field School demonstration farm. Credit: FAO / Luis Tato

Children in any context

When featuring children in any context: 

  • Parental consent in advance is required with evidence of this consent; this can be managed in different ways (often by schools); for example existing consent arrangements with all parents, or opt out consent process for parents.
  • A representative staff member may sign an appropriate consent form, guaranteeing that parental consent has been obtained.
  • Children should also be given the opportunity to opt in or out of the photo, film, or story through age-appropriate dialogue.
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Children walking on street with tents Credit: Ahmed Akacha, Pexels

Adults in a sensitive context

When featuring adults in a sensitve context: 

  • If the context is sensitive, individual consent by group members is required.
  • Carefully consider if measures should be taken to conceal identities or protect them from any risks associated with the context.
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Refugees with luggage. Credit: Andrey Popov, Getty Images

Crowds in a public place

When featuring crowds in a public place: 

  • If an individual is recognisable, informed consent is needed if the context of that crowd reveals personal information about the individual (health, sexuality, asylum/ refugee status, political beliefs, religion) – and particularly if the context is sensitive (for example, an HIV testing center, refugee camp, or political rally).
  • Unless it is possible to get informed consent with everyone who is recognisable and traceable due to personal information, images should be taken so that individual identities for those who have not given consent cannot be determine.
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Tokyo crowd. Credit: Lance B, Getty Images

This is based on information from Putting the People in the Pictures First: Ethical guidelines for the collection and use of content (images and stories), Bond, 2019.

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