# Annexe II: Compassion

We want our articles to be precise and objective. But we also need to think about how it will impact the community.

The news itself is something very public - it can hurt people.

## <mark style="color:yellow;">Consider the Impact</mark>

Always ask ourselves these questions:

* Will this article hurt anyone or any entity?
* Will this article cause any legal intervention (i.e. by a lawyer, a Cease and Desist Order or possible legal action)?

As reporters, **we are dealing with human lives**.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Treat</mark> <mark style="color:purple;"></mark>*<mark style="color:purple;">everyone</mark>* <mark style="color:purple;"></mark><mark style="color:purple;">as decent human beings deserving respect.</mark>

* Even though they may be criminals or people who did something wrong.
* Giving people - human beings - basic dignity is the first step to civil dialogue. This maintains democracy.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Respect people's rights to privacy.</mark>

* Before we trade privacy for news - the ability for the public good must outweigh the ability for harm.
* Even if privacy rights for public figures are different in the US than in other countries, we should always use facts to support our report.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Recognize that news coverage itself can be very sensitive.</mark>

* No matter how ‘newsworthy’ something is, the news is not an excuse for us to think we are bigger than other people.

## <mark style="color:yellow;">Be Considerate</mark>

When gathering information, we must be considerate of others.

Ask for permission.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Filming at a furry convention?</mark>

* Go ahead! But respect other people’s basic boundaries too; look at the next two points.
* Get a press pass if they need us to.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Interviewing someone?</mark>

* Explain the interview’s purpose and have approval before continuing.
* If needed, show the person your GFTV ID and GFTV social media accounts.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Filming anyone?</mark>

* Ask them first for permission. For example, If you want to film someone doing art at the dealers’ den, ask if you can film it.
* When asked, leave a note to the video editor to censor the person’s face.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Be sensitive towards victims of tragedies.</mark>

* Decide carefully whether to publish names and pictures concerning victims and their relatives. Follow relevant laws when needed.
* Be very, very careful when touching on suicide or attempted suicide. Think about the individual's privacy and the feelings of their relatives.

### <mark style="color:purple;">Do not inappropriately emphasise personal aspects.</mark>

* For example, someone’s race, sex, orientation, sexual disposition, nationality, occupation, political association or religious beliefs.
* Unless relevant - emphasis on personal aspects like these is never helpful when understanding an event.
* Especially if something is irrelevant in context or is just embarrassing.

## <mark style="color:yellow;">Consider: GFTV’s special circumstances</mark>

We are special - GFTV is *<mark style="color:purple;">**news media by furries, for furries**</mark>*.

* Furry events are never prepared for, let alone have seen this.
* Most of what GFTV do is somewhat identical to what mainstream news media does.
* In the past, the furry fandom has been scarred by the news media itself. Misportrayal has haunted the fandom for decades.
* Follow relevant protocols set out by events for us.
  * For example, a press pass.
* Do not let them compromise our editorial independence at all times.