Ethical Challenges for Documentarians in a User-Centric Environment

Forthcoming in: New Documentary Ecologies, Palgrave

15 Pages Posted: 5 Oct 2013

See all articles by Patricia Aufderheide

Patricia Aufderheide

American University - School of Communication

Date Written: October 3, 2013

Abstract

Ethical challenges are a daily feature of the work of documentarians who strive to communicate something honestly about something real. Those ethical challenges proliferate in the digital environment. Historically, ethical questions for documentarians are anchored to the need to maintain trust and good faith with three entities: their subjects, their audiences, and their sponsors (including, sometimes, themselves). The digital era poses new challenges to each relationship, in new ways. However, the core issues continue to revolve around the three relationships where trust is key.

Keywords: documentary, film, ethics, transmedia, interactive, digital

Suggested Citation

Aufderheide, Patricia, Ethical Challenges for Documentarians in a User-Centric Environment (October 3, 2013). Forthcoming in: New Documentary Ecologies, Palgrave, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2335497

Patricia Aufderheide (Contact Author)

American University - School of Communication ( email )

4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States
202-885-2069 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://cmsimpact.org

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