Informed consent

Definition

Informed consent is the process of obtaining permission from individuals before involving them in any research or journalistic practice, ensuring they fully understand the nature, risks, and implications of their participation. This concept is crucial in various areas of journalism as it respects individuals' rights and promotes ethical standards, particularly when journalists engage deeply with subjects or communities, report undercover, or utilize new technologies that may impact personal privacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Informed consent requires that participants are fully briefed on how their information will be used and what risks may be involved.
2. Obtaining informed consent is especially significant in immersive and undercover reporting, where subjects may not be aware they are being observed.
3. Journalists must balance the need for informed consent with the public's right to know when reporting on issues of significant public interest.
4. Virtual and augmented reality in journalism raises new challenges for informed consent, as these technologies can create immersive experiences that blur the line between reality and representation.
5. Feature writing often includes narratives that require explicit informed consent from subjects to ensure ethical storytelling.

Review Questions

• How does informed consent play a critical role in immersive journalism and reporting?
  • Informed consent is vital in immersive journalism and reporting because it ensures that participants understand the context and purpose of their involvement. When journalists deeply engage with subjects, it's essential for those individuals to know how their stories will be told and any potential risks involved. This process not only respects the autonomy of subjects but also enhances the credibility of the journalist's work.
• What are some ethical dilemmas journalists might face regarding informed consent when using undercover techniques?
  • Journalists employing undercover techniques often grapple with ethical dilemmas related to informed consent, as revealing their identity could compromise the integrity of their investigation. While some argue that undercover reporting is necessary to expose wrongdoing or injustices, it raises questions about whether subjects can truly give informed consent if they are unaware they are part of a story. Journalists must weigh the potential benefits of their findings against the ethical obligation to respect individuals' rights.
• Evaluate the impact of virtual and augmented reality on the concept of informed consent in journalism.
  • Virtual and augmented reality technologies significantly impact the concept of informed consent by creating immersive experiences that may alter how participants perceive their involvement in a story. As these technologies enable journalists to present narratives in engaging ways, it becomes crucial to ensure that participants fully understand what they're consenting to. This includes awareness of how their images and stories might be manipulated or represented, necessitating a more comprehensive approach to informed consent in this evolving landscape.

Related terms

Ethics: A set of moral principles that govern a person's behavior or conducting an activity, especially regarding what is considered right or wrong in journalism.

Confidentiality: The ethical principle that obligates journalists to protect private information about individuals, ensuring it is not disclosed without consent.

Transparency: The practice of being open and honest about the methods and intentions of reporting, which can help build trust with sources and subjects.