SHIFT HAPPENS – Media Guide

Shift Happens: A Media Guide for Journalists Covering Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, created by Megaphone’s The Shift peer newsroom

Download PDF Media Guide Here

Video: The Shift Peer Newsroom

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Shift Happens — A Media Guide for Journalists Covering the Downtown Eastside has been created by members of Megaphone’s The Shift peer newsroom, a group of more than a dozen people who have lived experience with poverty, homelessness, substance use, physical disabilities, mental illness, incarceration, racism and immigration, as well as Indigenous, racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ backgrounds. Our peer reporters are not only active members of the Downtown Eastside (DTES), they have also undergone basic journalism training —many as part of a scholarship program in Langara College’s journalism department. This makes The Shift uniquely equipped to offer their expertise for this project, as they are both reporters, and the reported on.

Shift Happens is the result of a series of workshops and working groups that took place over 18 months. It is supported by Megaphone, the University of British Columbia School of Journalism, Writing and Media, and the UBC Learning Exchange. Participants took deep dives into ethics; trauma-informed reporting; Indigenous perspectives; fact-checking; story framing; how to talk to a journalist; media handling; and more.

There are two main parts to this guide: a Code of Ethics – For Journos and a Bill of Rights – For Sources. These principles recognize the power imbalance that exists between media and marginalized populations, and aim to level that inequity through the sharing of knowledge and dialogue. It is not a set of rules; it is a collection of recommendations— rooted in real life experiences and designed to make storytelling invulnerable communities a less harmful, more accurate endeavour for all. Is it perfect? No. We learned there are few hard-and-fast rules and that context matters. This is a starting point for an ongoing discussion about how to better report on communities like the DTES.

“This is a starting point for an ongoing discussion about how to better report on communities like the DTES.”

This is a living document —a work in progress that will grow and change with updates fromThe Shift, working professionals, non-profit service providers and marginalized people — everyone who is directly impacted by media. The hope is that journalists, editors, publishers, communications professionals, educators and organizations utilize this as a call forward — to think about who is present and who is absent in telling a story, and which stories are being missed. We welcome your feedback and ideas! Let us know at info@megaphonemagazine.com. Scroll down to view the entire document, or download the pdf above.

CODE OF ETHICS – FOR JOURNOS

1. Be Trauma-Informed

• Learn about and understand what trauma is and how it can affect the reporting process and memory.
• When reporting about trauma, always consider how systems contribute to and perpetuate it.
• Ensure the subject’s needs for a sense of control, agency and safety is prioritized throughout the process.

2. Get Ongoing, Informed Consent

• The DTES requires a special kind of consent. Be clear. Be generous. Be kind.
• Consider that this isn’t just “your” story, but a collaboration with your subject(s).
• Yes, you can share quotes, parts of the story, or even the entire story before publication. This can improve accuracy and foster trust with people who are not used to telling their story.
• Unpack how stories could impact sources, such as reactions from family, friends, housing providers, police and employers.
• Offer rolling consent so that individuals can withdraw permission at any time along a mutually agreed-upon timeline (i.e. up to publication deadline).
• Remind sources at key points that they have the choice to answer individual questions and/or continue participating.
• Be transparent about all the ways the information could appear, from websites to social media, radio, television and so on.
• If a source appears to be in an altered state of mind, try to return to them before publication to confirm consent. If you know this person well and are on a tight deadline, use your best judgment.
• Be aware of cultural differences and language barriers.

3. Minimize Harm

• Be accurate. Fact-check the stereotypes. There are a lot of stereotypes.
• Be a wise guardian of stories. You are privileged to have certain information and know how the media works. Treat this awareness with care and understand how it may impact people.
• Check your ego. Be transparent about the knowledge and background you have in the DTES.
• Don’t make promises you can’t deliver. Journalism has its limitations. While it’s possible a single story can lead to significant change, it’s also possible it could have other unexpected outcomes or no impact at all.
• For more in-depth features or profiles, consider preparing sources for what can happen after publication and then check in with them after.
• Inform sources that there are options to protect their identity if they wish.

4. Source Better

• Don’t always talk to the same sources. The DTES doesn’t speak with one voice.
• Official sources are not always right. Be as skeptical with them as you are with anyone else.
• Also ask people in the DTES who they trust. Seek sources from community organizations and individuals with direct experience of the issue.
• Be aware of how your positionality influences who you do and don’t include.
• Be mindful of bias against stigmatized groups, such as substance users and sex workers.

5. Frame Responsibly

• While the DTES may have serious challenges, remember that it is also a close-knit and caring community rich in history and culture that people call home.
• Resist “needle-in-the-puddle” imagery. Sensational photos are powerful but often don’t tell the whole story.
• Watch how your language, layout, headline and photo placement choices may reinforce stereotypes.
• Identify people the way they want to be identified. Style guides and consistency are important tools for clarity and understanding, but not everyone agrees with their recommendations. For example, people who have substance use disorder often identify as “addicts” as part of their healing journey, or Indigenous Peoples may in some cases wish to refer to themselves as Native.
• Don’t always focus on the problem. Consider practising solutions-based journalism as well.

6. Acknowledge Inequities, Large and Small

• As a journalist, know that you have more power than you think. Many in the DTES see you as an authority figure.
• Recognize and report on the historical and systemic contexts that underlie the complex challenges that surface in the DTES.
• Consider how your own positionality informs your views. Be open to hearing about your own blindspots. It will make you a better journalist.
• Use quotes responsibly. Are you running with something for purely sensational reasons?
• Use small, practical steps to help people feel comfortable while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Consider offering compensation for people’s time. Paying for time is not the same as paying for a story. We know this has risks. We also know that not paying for people’s time could mean that certain perspectives may be missed. Without those voices, you may not have a balanced story.

BILL OF RIGHTS – FOR SOURCES

Before the Interview

1. Know Your Rights

• You can refuse to do an interview at any time, even if you initially said yes.
• You can ask to review your quotes before they are published.
• You can ask for a correction to be published or broadcast if your words are taken out of context.
• Your well-being comes first; you have the right to protect yourself from further harm or trauma.

2. Inquire About the Story’s Purpose and Sources

• What is the angle of the story? How will it be framed?
• Ask why the reporter is interested in speaking with you specifically. Have they also reached out to community organizations or people with direct experience of the issue?
• Who else will be included in the story? Are they including a diverse range of voices from the DTES, such as Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQI+ communities or people with disabilities?

3. Ask Questions

• How long has the reporter been covering stories in the DTES or similar communities? Are they aware of their own biases when reporting on marginalized communities, and if so, how do they plan to address them?
• Will they be considering the context around systemic issues (such as poverty or colonization) in their reporting?

4. Request Identification and Credentials

• Ask for the journalist’s name, contact information and the media outlet they work for.
• Do they have press credentials or a business card? At the very least, get a phone number or email.
• Exercise caution when working with publications and journalists from outside of Vancouver. If they act unethically or publish inaccurate information, it may be difficult to seek a remedy.

4. Request Identification and Credentials

• Ask for the journalist’s name, contact information and the media outlet they work for.
• Do they have press credentials or a business card? At the very least, get a phone number or email.
• Exercise caution when working with publications and journalists from outside of Vancouver. If they act unethically or publish inaccurate information, it may be difficult to seek a remedy.

5. Decide on Anonymity and Boundaries

• Clearly state if there are topics you do not wish to discuss. Be specific about the areas that may trigger trauma or cause distress.
• You can request anonymity or use a different name to protect your identity. Set these expectations upfront.

6. Understand Trauma and Its Impact

• Ask the journalist if they have experience with trauma-informed reporting and how they plan to handle sensitive topics.
• Know that trauma is related to a lack of control over distressing situations and a lack of support afterward. You have the right to set the pace and topics of the conversation.

During the Interview

1. Reiterate Your Boundaries

• Begin by reminding the journalist what you are comfortable discussing and any off-limit topics.
• If they move away from agreed-upon subject matter, you can steer the conversation back or refuse to answer.

2. Bring a Support Person

• You can have someone you trust present during the interview, especially if it regards a traumatic experience. They can take notes, provide emotional support and help you stay grounded.

3. Lead the Conversation

• Set the tone and pace for the conversation. Share only what you feel comfortable sharing. Journalists should be patient and not rush you.

4. Pause, Breathe and Check

• At any point during the interview, you have the right to pause and check in with yourself. Take a moment to breathe and assess how you feel. You can suggest that the journalist to do the same to maintain a safe and balanced interaction.

5. Take Notes or Record the Interview

• You can record the interview on your phone or ask your support person to take notes. Let the journalist know you’re doing this.

6. Stop the Interview if Uncomfortable

• If you feel pressured, unsafe or uncomfortable at anytime, you have the right to pause or end the interview. There is no need to provide a reason.

7. Maintain Control Over Your Story

• If a question feels leading or biased, ask the journalist to clarify or rephrase it. Don’t let them shape your story.

After the Interview

1.Request to Review Quotes

• Ask if you can review the quotes or parts of the story to make sure everything is accurate and in context. This can help prevent misrepresentation and build trust.

2. Follow Up for Clarification

• If you feel worried about any aspect of the conversation, reach out to the journalist to clarify or correct information you provided. Have your notes or recordings handy to back up your request.

3. Request a Copy of the Published Story

• Ask when and where the story will be published. Request a link or copy to see once it’s available.

4. Check In

• After the interview, check in with yourself, a trusted person or an organization to debrief. It’s OK to seek emotional support.

5. Hold Journalists Accountable

• Be aware of the power imbalance between journalists and the DTES community. This affects how stories are framed and whose voices are prioritized.
• If a journalist has breached your trust or misrepresented you, reach out to them or their editor. If there is no response, or an inadequate reply, consider filing a formal complaint with their news organization or the National News Media Council, which handles public complaints about news ethics for its members.

6. Understand Journalism’s Limitations

• Be aware that journalism has its limitations. A story may not lead to significant change or could have unexpected impacts.