We rely upon strong stories and eye-catching images when writing about modern slavery. Raising awareness of the issues and the prevalence of modern slavery is essential, but so often, as survivors of slavery tell us, the images and language used to tell these stories do not reflect them accurately or in a dignified way.
Too often we speak on behalf of survivors and sensationalize the experience of modern slavery today. Sensationalist images and language can unintentionally create or reinforce stereotypes or negative prejudices.
You can help change this by adopting the My Story, My Dignity Pledge as an individual or on behalf of an organization, company or institution that publicly shares human trafficking and modern slavery information and cases. By adhering to the pledge, you can help ensure accurate and respectful representations, so that together, we build a movement that supports survivors and motivates action helping bring it to an end.
The My Story, My Dignity Pledge principles:
- Choose respectful images that are representative of the issue. Choose stock images carefully.
- Select text that accurately represents the story. Be careful to avoid sensationalist language.
- Respect survivors’ right to privacy and dignity.
- Obtain prior consent to using a personal story, be transparent and accurate about the process and how it will be used.
Catherine W.,
Hydie L.,
susan m.,
hanneke v.,
Stella V.,
Ursula M.,
Could you give some concrete examples of respectful usage of images (especially when using stock photos) and reporting without sensationalising?
Hi Sudeshna,
Thank you for your message. We have just published our content guidelines that provide examples of respectful visual representations. You can access our guidelines here.
Could you explain how being enslaved could be described without sensationalist language, while still being accurate?
O mundo é plural e cada pessoa é digna de respeito e deve respeitar.
Given the Greed and Politically Corrupt State of our Planet (SOOP), it should not be a surprise that millions of innocents are trafficked every year. It will not change until we remove the corrupt politicians – in all countries -and get people to represent us properly. Can it be done? I doubt it. But I will fight to see it come about to my dying day. What else to do?
Perhaps we need to add participatory democracy to our democratic systems; and also modify representative democracy so that decisions allegedly taken on our behalves are subject to our democratically-expressed approval before being implemented? (Could be done online, with dedicated terminals available at libraries for those without tec)
Also time for employees’ democratic control of the workplace to be enshrined in law, especially as many slaves are enslaved through workplace contracts?
Regards
Corrupt politicans are part of capitalistic economy. We need to change the basics of the economy and need much more democracy in economy and overcome the industrial system of mass consumption which is ruining the whole plante, tjhe only one we now were live exists!
WISH ALL SUCCESS TO FREEDOMUNITED. TO TOTALLY ERADICATE ALL TYPES OF SLAVERY FROM EARTH.