Resources for Ethical Storytelling
What Every Storyteller Should Know
Who truly owns a story? In today’s media landscape, we’re often led to believe that stories belong to those who ‘capture’ them—the person behind the camera or holding the pen. But when it comes to telling stories about real people and real-life events, the lines of ownership and responsibility become far more complex.
As ethical storytellers, our role isn’t just to craft narratives; it’s to ensure we are telling them with integrity, protecting the vulnerable, and giving voice to those whose stories we share. This requires more than just technical skill—it demands empathy, listening, and a deep awareness of how our own perspectives shape the way we approach each story.
Before embarking on any storytelling project, it’s essential to engage with the ideas and practices of ethical storytelling. Below, we’ve curated a collection of resources that we believe are fundamental for anyone seeking to tell truthful, respectful, and impactful stories.
TO WATCH
SUBJECT: IN THE GOLDEN AGE OF DOCUMENTARIES, WHO BENEFITS?
SUBJECT explores the life-altering experience of sharing one’s life on screen. Documentary “stars” reveal the highs and lows of their experiences as well as the everyday realities of having their lives put under a microscope.
THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY
Limiting ourselves to a single narrative about a person or culture leads to dangerously incomplete and often misleading perceptions. If we can break free from these narrow views and embrace the richness of multiple perspectives—we gain much greater understanding of the world.
TO READ
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S RACIAL RECKONING
A National Geographic cover falls back into harmful racial clichés, contradicting its earlier apology for past racist portrayals. Despite progress, the imagery reinforces outdated stereotypes about the American West, missing a clear opportunity to challenge these entrenched narratives.
THE GUIDE TO INCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Inclusive photography goes beyond surface-level diversity, aiming to authentically portray individuals while avoiding stereotypes and harmful biases. By thoughtfully considering context, power dynamics, and respectful collaboration, photographers and filmmakers can craft more compelling and inclusive visual stories that challenge outdated portrayals.
GETTING OTHERS RIGHT
In this essay by Teju Cole, he compares the work of two photographers who were both documenting Native Americans about 100 years ago. One of them was a white man, one of them was a member of Native nation. Consider how their work differed both in appearance and in impact.
BEYOND EMPATHY
Using documentary films solely to build empathy for marginalized groups often reinforces white perspectives and avoids confronting systemic inequalities. Instead, filmmakers should focus on fostering solidarity, challenging power structures, and building alliances for meaningful social change.