ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
As a final year student at Bournemouth University, ethical considerations and editorial guidelines are vital for any journalist. Prior to going out to film, record or even interview, a refreshment of the codes and update on changes, is highly beneficial. Due to the sensitive nature of my chosen MMP topic, I have enlisted the sections I have found relevant to me, and my documentary.
Section 1 of the IPSO Editors code of practice - Accuracy
"The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines not supported by the text" Similarly to Section 3 - Accuracy of the BBC's Editorial guidelines it states "The BBC is committed to achieving due accuracy. This commitment is fundamental to our reputation and the trust of audiences, which is the foundation of the BBC".
Due to my target broadcaster being the BBC, I found that cross-referencing both IPSO and the BBC as important as both are relevant and can be applied. In the hopes of keeping to this editorial practice, I have researched, read and prepped for every question I planned on asking my interviewees. For instance, before going to speak to Professor Martin Prince I read his report on nutrition to not be blindsided, as well as researching the medication Tommy Dunne discussed to taking to check whether they relate to dementia. It seems very simple but checking every detail no matter how small, has allowed me to keep my work relevant and up to par.
Section 2 of the IPSO Editors code of practice - Privacy
"Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications" Comparably to Section 7 - Privacy of the BBC's Editorial guidelines it states "The BBC respects privacy and does not infringe it without good reason, wherever in the world it is operating. The Human Rights Act 1998 gives protection to the privacy of individuals, and private information about them, but balances that with a broadcaster's right to freedom of expression".
Personally, as a journalist I think privacy at times is easy to forget, or easy to overstep the boundary. In order not to upset or annoy my interviewees I have tried my hardest to create a relationship with them before meeting in person. I have done this by sending them weekly messages or simply by sending them the interview questions beforehand so they can give me feedback or tell me whether I am being insensitive. With a topic like dementia, I have been very careful with the questions I have sent Tommy Dunne, Ellie Van Leeuwen and Lynsey Moore as they all have personal links to dementia so for me, it was important to show compassion and avoid any infringements of privacy. Furthermore, a high level of mutual respect for the journalist and interviewee should be considered when conducting an interview, and I personally believe I was as respectable as a human could be when it came to discussing dementia with anyone.
Section 8 of the IPSO Editors code of practice - Hospitals
"Journalists must identify themselves and obtain permission from a responsible executive before entering non-public areas of hospitals or similar institutions to pursue enquiries."
It states that the restrictions on intruding into privacy are relevant to the enquiries about individuals in hospitals, even though I only went to the hospital to interview nurse Lynsey Moore. I strived to be as respectful of patients and not film any footage or take any photos whilst inside the premises. The images I snapped of Nurse Lynsey were all inside her private office with her full consent, these were later used on the Instagram page. Alongside the image of Nurse Lynsey, I did take a picture of the sign stating 'Poole Hospital' which I also posted on the MMP Instagram page. No one appears to be in the picture outside the hospital and the only reason I felt confident to take the image was due to the approval of only the sign from Nurse Lynsey.
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Section 4 of the IPSO Editors code of practice - Intrusion into grief or shock
"In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries and approaches must be made with sympathy and discretion and publication handled sensitively. These provisions should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings."
As mentioned previously 3 of my interviewees all had a common link as dementia was something they related to on a personal experience level, with family or themselves. However, I have included this editorial code as even though I didn't include in the documentary. I requested assistance from my partner with filming and practice interviews, and due to his late grandmother passing from dementia nearly 3 years ago. I was aware this topic was a sensitive subject for him, and for me as he wasn't an interviewee but a dear person in my life. The separation between being his partner and a journalist at times was challenging but I found that not including him too much in this project was how I could respect his grief. Yet, also asked for his consent and approval on questions as he would honestly inform me whether or not I was coming across as insensitive.