2️⃣Annexe II: Compassion

Reporting with Consideration and Care

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.

Consider the Impact

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.

Treat everyone as decent human beings deserving respect.

• 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.

Respect people's rights to privacy.

• 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.

Recognize that news coverage itself can be very sensitive.

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

Be Considerate

When gathering information, we must be considerate of others.

Ask for permission.

Filming at a furry convention?

• 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.

Interviewing someone?

• Explain the interview’s purpose and have approval before continuing.

• If needed, show the person your GFTV ID and GFTV social media accounts.

Filming anyone?

• 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.

Be sensitive towards victims of tragedies.

• 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.

Do not inappropriately emphasise personal aspects.

• 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.

Consider: GFTV’s special circumstances

We are special - GFTV is news media by furries, for furries.

• 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.