What is Ethical Storytelling?
The Essence of Ethical Storytelling in Digital Media
In the dynamic realm of digital media, the concept of 'ethical storytelling' is increasingly recognized as an impactful approach for capturing and sharing client testimonials. But what exactly is it? And how is it practiced?
A central theme to our work is ethical storytelling. And below, we break down our thinking behind ethical storytelling to share our insights about what it can look like for your organization and demonstrate its importance for mission-driven organizations working in the media production space.
Defining Ethical Storytelling
Ethical storytelling is a thoughtful method of narrating real-life experiences that honors and dignifies the individuals and groups involved, placing a strong emphasis on respect and agency. It is predicated on the belief that individuals should be granted autonomy and control over their own story and compensated in a manner that demonstrates the value that their story contributes.
Principles in Practice: The Three Pillars of Ethical Storytelling
Ethical storytelling practices can take a myriad of forms, but they should always encompass three key elements: agency, honor, and respect.
Respect: This is the foundation of ethical storytelling, guiding every step from story conception to completion. It's about more than just fair compensation; it's about valuing the storytellers' autonomy, experiences, and dignity. This respect is critical throughout the production process, ensuring that the way we capture and present stories is as considerate and impactful as the narratives themselves. Our commitment to respect in every interaction upholds the integrity of both the storytelling process and the final product.
Agency: It's crucial that individuals are granted agency over their narratives, allowing them to choose which details to share and which to keep private. In pre-production, a pre-interview is typically conducted to assess an individual’s comfort level sharing specific details of their story. We inform them in advance about where and how their story will be used, empowering them to make fully informed decisions. This proactive approach allows individuals to consent to sharing their stories in a context that respects their vulnerability.
In the post-production process, we also advise giving individuals the opportunity to review the rough cut of their testimonial, allowing them to have the “first edit”. This practice enables interviewees to see how their story will be presented even before the contracting organization, reducing power dynamics and external pressure that can result from power imbalance. Finally, we recommend telling individuals featured that we can remove or edit their story in the future, should they change their mind.
Honor: Honoring storytellers in ethical storytelling means providing appropriate compensation for their contributions. It's essential that storytellers never feel obligated to share their experiences due to prior support from the organization. Instead, their stories should be valued in ways that resonate with them personally. While monetary compensation through cash, Venmo, or CashApp is common, recognizing individual preferences is key. Some may prefer non-monetary or in-kind compensation. Respecting these choices is critical, as it reflects our commitment to valuing each storyteller's unique perspective and ensuring their dignity throughout the storytelling process.
“The process is just as important as the product.”
The Imperative of Ethical Storytelling in Human Services
Ethical storytelling is a practice that positions the storyteller as the owner of their narrative, emphasizing their role in how it's told and utilized. This approach is particularly important in the space of human services, where client testimonials are often used to highlight organizational successes and aid in fundraising.
This practice gains even more significance when considering the power imbalances inherent in client/organization relationships. Such dynamics are often compounded by systemic factors related to race, gender, class, and other identity lines. Storytelling, while a powerful tool for impact, requires careful and conscious handling to avoid potential harm. The act of sharing one's story is inherently vulnerable, making it imperative to employ ethical storytelling practices. These practices ensure that individuals, particularly those with traumatic experiences, do not feel exploited or disempowered. By adhering to the principles we've outlined, our storytelling and communication strategies can reflect our commitment to equity, resonating with the core values of our organization.
Concluding Thoughts: Upholding Integrity and Empowerment in Storytelling
By embracing ethical storytelling, we not only elevate the quality of our digital content but also adhere to our core values of respect and integrity. This approach ensures that our storytelling efforts are as impactful and dignified as the stories we share.
Stay tuned in the coming months as we expand upon our series and dive deeper into the themes mentioned above.
