Our public protection policy for sensitive audiences

Our project

“Intersect views, believe gazes”

Guiti News is a media company founded in July 2018 that launched on January 22, 2019. Guiti, which means “the world and what surrounds it” in Farsi, pairs refugee journalists in France (from Chad, Pakistan, Turkey, Syria, Zimbabwe…) with French colleagues, in order to take a double look at the news.

Ever since 2015 and the peak of migrants arriving on European territory, journalists writing about migration leads to the dissemination of false information. We wanted to break this, giving a more complex view of the situation because it was a personal issue for many of us.

Despite many people talking about migration, its actual intricacies are little known by French and European citizens. According to a survey led in 2018 by the European Commission, seven out of ten French people said they were ill-informed on the issue. It is to this public that we are speaking.

Guiti News wants to participate in changing the collective narrative around migration in France and Europe. To do so, we accomplish two things. Firstly, we humanize migratory trajectories. Too often, in the media, people are dehumanized, deprived of their name, age and profession. They rarely have the right to speak. This is an issue of giving legitimacy to their story. To give them a voice. Because who better than them to say what they have lived?

Secondly, Guiti News attempts to rationalize journalism about migration, which suffers from political instrumentalization. We want to deconstruct the various clichés by persistently relying on studies, experts, and data.

Finally, Guiti News intends to fight against the downgrading of exiled journalists in France. Because of the language barrier, and also because of a lack of network, many do not manage to integrate French editorial offices. French journalism is thus deprived of their talent and skills.

Our activities

• Digital media

Guiti News hosts about twenty journalists and photographers from different backgrounds, who meet at least twice a month during editorial conferences. This is a time for exchange, co-reflection, collaboration and brainstorming.

Guiti News produces daily articles, videos, photographs and drawings. Our intention is to bring a complex perspective to every piece of our content, made possible by our team of journalists.

The site features various formats such as podcasts that tell an auditive story, interviews that highlight an important figure committed to migration, videos, and quizzes.

• Media literacy

In addition to its editorial activity, Guiti News has developed a way to educate young people about the media, facilitating our journalists to intervene in pairs in French schools (from middle school to higher education).

This activity aims to raise awareness and mobilize around freedom of speech, notably through the testimonies of our reporters in exile. We also question together the clichés and false information found in the French media.

• Support staff

Guiti News could not develop without the commitment of its staff members:

Admin & HR : recruitment and personnel management; follow-up on administrative procedures; cash management.

Communications : management of social networks; events; press relations; community and content management; graphic design.

Development : monitoring, canvassing and setting up partnerships; assistance in finding funding opportunities.

Animation and Community Building : coordination; mediation; organization and/or facilitation of training and workshops; organization of internal events (bonding activities, onboarding etc).

Our values

INDEPENDENCE

Guiti News is a free digital media, accessible to all. It has no shareholders and no advertising. And claims total freedom in its tone.

COLLABORATION

Guiti’s DNA is based on the collaboration between journalists of all backgrounds, guaranteeing a sharing of skills and know-how.

TRUTH

Distanced from ideologies, affinities and facilities, Guiti’s editorial staff is committed to always seeking the facts and the truth. This notion of freedom of expression is also at the heart of the commitment of many refugee journalists who had to flee their country because it was hindered.

DIVERSITY

The diversity of our staff is the key to Guiti News. We believe that the vast majority of French newsrooms are not inclusive enough and recruit profiles that are too similar, both in terms of social and ethnic origins. They thus deprive themselves of talent and coherence to describe the world as it is.

LEGITIMITY

All voices are equal, and this is particularly important in a world where voices are often confiscated. For example, the term “refugee” has appeared in over 35,000 national media headlines since 2015. Despite this, the word is given to refugee people only 10% of the time.

INCLUSION

Everyone is welcome at Guiti News: able-bodied or not, migrant or not. With a mode of governance that encourages horizontality, all members of the association have a say in the strategic direction of our projects.

Our protection policy

Why a protection policy?

→ Because we are journalists, because we are part of the media, working alongside and for people at risk, we need to establish a precise charter that defines our protection policy, in order to protect them in the most effective way possible.

> Our profession as journalists brings us into contact with sensitive subjects. All the more so with the editorial topic we have chosen, which is inherently divisive and trying, as it can shed light on life paths punctuated by violence before exile.

> The team includes people who have lived through migration and who may therefore be confronted with the risk of re-traumatization when working on these subjects again.

> We interview sensitive audiences, where words may have problematic consequences in their family circle, ethnic group, company, host country, depending on their daily realities.

The foundations :

– Professional ethics for journalists

• The public’s right to quality, complete, free, independent and pluralist information, mentioned in the Declaration of Human Rights and the French Constitution, is what guides journalists in their mission. This responsibility takes precedence over any other.
• These principles and the ethical rules below are binding on each journalist, regardless of their position, responsibility or the medium in which they work.
• However, the responsibility of the journalist cannot be confused with that of the publication’s director, nor can it exempt the latter from his or her own obligations.
• Journalism consists of researching, verifying, placing into context, prioritizing, formatting, commenting and publishing quality information; it cannot be confused with communication. It requires time and resources, whatever the medium. There can be no respect for ethical rules without the implementation of the conditions of exercise that they require.
• The notion of urgency in the dissemination of information or exclusivity must not prevail over the seriousness of the investigation and the verification of sources.
• Material and moral security is the basis of a journalist’s independence. It must be ensured, regardless of the employment contract between the journalist and the company.
• Freelance journalists benefit from the same guarantees as those available to full-time journalists.
• Journalists may not be forced to perform an act or express an opinion contrary to their professional conviction or conscience, nor to the principles and rules of this charter.
• The journalist performs all the acts of their profession (investigation, investigation, filming of images and sounds, etc…) freely. They have access to all sources of information concerning the facts that guide their work and have the secrecy of their sources guaranteed.

It is under these conditions that a journalist:

• Takes responsibility for all their professional productions, even if they are anonymous;
• Respects the dignity of persons and the presumption of innocence;
• Holds critical thinking, truthfulness, accuracy, integrity, fairness, impartiality, as the pillars of journalistic action; holds accusation without proof, intention to harm, alteration of documents, distortion of facts, misappropriation of images, lies, manipulation, censorship, and lies, manipulation, censorship and self-censorship, and failure to verify facts, as the most serious professional abuses;
• Exercises utmost vigilance before disseminating information from wherever it comes from;
• Has the right to follow-up, which is also a duty, on the information they disseminate and ensures that any information disseminated that proves to be inaccurate is quickly rectified;
• Accepts in matters of professional ethics and honor only the jurisdiction of their peers; answers in court for offenses provided for by law;
• Defends freedom of expression, opinion, information, comment and criticism;
• Prohibits any unfair and venal means to obtain information. In the event that their safety, that their sources or the seriousness of the facts require them to conceal their status as a journalist, they shall notify their superiors and give the public an explanation as soon as possible;
• Does not receive money in a public service, institution or private enterprise where their status as a journalist, their influence or their relations could be exploited;
• Does not use the freedom of the press with self-interested intent;
• Refuses and fights, as contrary to professional ethics, any confusion between journalism and communication;
• Cites the colleagues whose work they use, does not commit any plagiarism;
• Does not solicit the job position of a colleague by offering to work under inferior conditions;
• Maintains professional secrecy and protects the sources of their information;
• Does not confuse their role with that of a police officer or judge.

Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1789 (article XI)

“The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the most precious rights of Man: every Citizen may therefore speak, write, and print freely, except to answer for the abuse of this freedom, in the cases determined by the Law.”

French Constitution (Article 34)

“The law establishes the rules concerning civil rights and the fundamental guarantees granted to citizens for the exercise of public freedoms; the freedom, pluralism and independence of the media.”

Declaration of the Duties and Rights of Journalists (Munich, 1971)

Given the above articles that detail the duties of journalists, it is also necessary to rely on the Munich Declaration as the authoritative statement of journalists’ rights.

[1] Journalists claim free access to all sources of information and the right to freely investigate all facts affecting public life. The secrecy of public or private affairs can only be invoked against a journalist by way of exception on clearly expressed grounds.

[2] Journalists have the right to refuse any subordination that is contrary to the general policy of their company, as determined in writing in their contract of employment, as well as any subordination that is not clearly implied by this general policy.

[3] Journalists may not be compelled to perform a professional act or express an opinion that is contrary to their conviction or conscience.

[4] The editorial team must be informed of any important decision that may affect the life of the company. It must at least be consulted before a final decision is taken, on any measure affecting the composition of the editorial staff: hiring, firing, transfer and promotion of journalists.

[5] In consideration of their function and responsibilities, the journalist is entitled not only to the benefit of the collective agreements, but also to a personal contract ensuring his material and moral security as well as a remuneration corresponding to his social role and sufficient to guarantee his economic independence. Our policy of protecting sensitive publics is also based on the Charter of Commitment (see Appendix 1) which is signed by each member of Guiti News when they join the association.

Our commitments in the framework of our PPPF

A. Risks identified and protective actions

1. RISKS TO OUR INTERNAL TEAM

a. Ethical risks

INCLUSION / COMMITMENT

RISK: Exclusion or partial inclusion of people of immigrant background, including refugees, in decision-making and in discourses on their situation.

COMMITMENT: Always ensure that people with a migrant background are included in the discourse on their situation and in decision making. Define precisely the conditions of commitment of each member of Guiti through a charter.

CONCRETE ACTIONS: The Board of Directors is composed of journalists of immigrant background – including refugee journalists – and French journalists, in order to ensure balanced views. Strategic changes of the association raised during Board meetings are discussed by all members. A charter of commitment has been drafted, which all members of the team commit to respect, current and new members.

EDITORIAL LINE

RISK: to have a media treatment that is not respectful of people in exile.

COMMITMENT: Do not give in to the siren song of sensationalism, no shocking headlines, no racy images, no miserabilism. A demand for a dignified treatment which is part of a more global desire to never play on emotions but on reason.

CONCRETE ACTION: Mandatory proofreading of all publications by a French journalist and a journalist of immigrant background to ensure that respect for all people is guaranteed.

FAKE NEWS

RISK: publishing false or incorrect information.

COMMITMENT: always check and cross-check sources to avoid the dissemination of false or inaccurate information.

CONCRETE ACTIONS: fact-checking when writing and before publication. Quote sources as much as possible.

b. Physical risks

RISK: attack on the physical security of the Guiti team during public events such as conferences or interventions in schools. The risk can be represented by people who are in opposition to Guiti’s public position.

COMMITMENT: Make sure that the host organization is informed before the event and that it puts in place the immediate security conditions.

CONCRETE ACTIONS: Prepare a standard paragraph that explains the physical threats that the Guiti team can face. The goal is to raise awareness so that the host organization takes the time to think about whether or not there is a concrete threat and to put security measures in place.

c. Psychological risks

RISKS: within the team, some journalists have experienced exile and are confronted with psychological risks if they have to constantly relive it (recounting, hearing about similar events) during their work. There is therefore a risk of re-traumatization that it is important to prevent. Non-refugees are also confronted with a psychological risk insofar as they are constantly exposed to difficult realities and are generally also very involved with refugees.

COMMITMENTS: to be permanently attentive to the well-being of each person, to ensure the consent of the person to go back over his or her personal story before each intervention in the school environment. To ensure that everyone is psychologically balanced in relation to the situations that the person is confronted with at work.

CONCRETE ACTIONS: Setting up a round table discussion where everyone expresses how they feel before the start of each press conference. Designation of two people to whom one can refer and address oneself in case of discomfort in a situation (mediator).

2. RISKS FOR OUR INTERVIEWEES / SOURCES ETHICS AND PROTECTION OF SOURCES

RISKS: Because of its editorial line, the Guiti News team can be led to write on sensitive subjects. Thus, the people interviewed (the sources) can put themselves in danger by the simple fact of speaking, exposing themselves, denouncing.

COMMITMENTS: The journalists of the editorial staff are committed to ensuring the protection of the interviewees.

CONCRETE ACTIONS: In order to ensure this protection, journalists commit to respecting professional secrecy by ensuring the anonymity of their sources (pseudonym, blurred face and modified voice for a video, informant taken from behind…), so that their identity – previously authenticated -can never be found. In addition to these anonymization procedures, the journalist must ensure that the source is well aware of the potential impact of this statement. This is why they will systematically have the source reread/edit his or her verbatim. Witness protection is a right and a duty guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Ensuring the protection of sources also requires reliable modes of communication. Messenger, Whatsapp or even texting are to be avoided. Encrypted instant messengers such as Signal are to be preferred. Sending confidential information (for heavier content) can also be done via PGP. Similarly, information should be kept on the reporter’s PC in a double safe. If the reporter is writing in a public space, they should also cover the computer with a privacy filter. Similarly, the reporter should be able to inform the source of the best ways to protect themselves digitally.

RISKS IN CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS

RISK: in an interview, talking about subjects or situations can be traumatic. Incorrectness, questions or words can hurt.

COMMITMENT: Find out about the person’s history and determine with them what topics they are willing to discuss or not. Always be very sensitive, tactful and ask for constant consent for the topics discussed.

CONCRETE ACTIONS: before an interview, always specify to the person the awareness that we have of the possible difficulties that the story may generate for them and insist on their right to refuse to answer and to set their boundaries.

SPECIFIC RISKS IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RISKS > RISK: In the context of refugee journalists’ life stories being shared during media education workshops, students are confronted with a distressing reality. The stories may contain shocking or painful information that can send shock waves through the audience. > COMMITMENT: The purpose of the educational workshops is to participate in the creation of the critical spirit of future citizens while sensitizing them to freedom of expression. The intention is not to shock, but to awaken the conscience to realities that may seem disparate. During their intervention, the journalist who tells their story will always know how to adapt their speech to the audience. > CONCRETE ACTIONS: Contact the teacher beforehand to determine the level of knowledge and awareness of their class on the topics related to migration and freedom of expression. The program and the story will be adapted according to the level of the class and the risks discussed with the teaching team (specific attention paid to semantics, images and videos). At the end of the session, a form is given to the class and the teacher to evaluate the level of satisfaction with the intervention and the areas for improvement.

3. SPECIFIC RISKS IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RISKS

RISK: In the context of refugee journalists’ life stories being shared during media education workshops, students are confronted with a distressing reality. The stories may contain shocking or painful information that can send shock waves through the audience.

COMMITMENT: The purpose of the educational workshops is to participate in the creation of the critical spirit of future citizens while sensitizing them to freedom of expression. The intention is not to shock, but to awaken the conscience to realities that may seem disparate. During their intervention, the journalist who tells their story will always know how to adapt their speech to the audience.

CONCRETE ACTIONS: Contact the teacher beforehand to determine the level of knowledge and awareness of their class on the topics related to migration and freedom of expression. The program and the story will be adapted according to the level of the class and the risks discussed with the teaching team (specific attention paid to semantics, images and videos). At the end of the session, a form is given to the class and the teacher to evaluate the level of satisfaction with the intervention and the areas for improvement.

4. RISKS FOR OUR READERS

COMMENTS ON SOCIAL NETWORKS

RISK: publication of comments of a hateful nature (racist, incitement to hatred, threats of verbal and physical violence, etc). For example, in November 2019, two of our publications were taken over by the extreme right-wing site Fdesouche, urging their readers to raid Guiti News, following which, one of the videos was the target of racist insults on Youtube.

COMMITMENT: Guiti News is a space of free expression where every opinion has the right to be expressed, in the respect of the law. Thus, we cannot tolerate any comments from readers that reflect a hateful or discriminating view.

CONCRETE ACTION: daily monitoring of all our social networks (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Youtube). Deletion of all comments of a hateful nature. Occasional publication of a message to readers indicating that all expressions of opinion are tolerated as long as they remain within the law. In the case of fake news: replies to justify the invalidity of the information. A charter of good conduct will be pinned on the page. An email address: mediation@guiti.fr has been created for the management of complaints and risks.

A. Adoption and follow-up of the PPPF

This document was adopted, in principle, by the Board of Directors on 01/04/2020. Its implementation is the responsibility of its two main officers: the association’s president/publication director and the editor-in-chief. The policy will be reviewed after six months in the first year at a Board meeting and then once a year.

B. Dissemination of the policy

Every new member, employee, stakeholder or partner of the association will be informed of and receive a copy of our policy for the protection of vulnerable persons. Internally, this document will be available for consultation in a printed version in a dedicated binder. It will also be available on the intranet.

The association’s employees will receive this document, which will be attached to their contract and must be formally approved by signature. Members of the association who are not salaried will receive this document, which must be formally approved by signature before they can join (Statute /Article 7: admission).

The associated actors, salaried or voluntary (interpreters, trainees, volunteers, researchers…) of Guiti News, who will act within the association or in external mission for this one will be the recipients of the present document, which they will have to have also formally approved by signature before accepting their job offer.

Externally, all the partners of the association with whom we will be in frequent or usual contact will be recipients of the present document for information purposes, in case of a collaboration or a partnership agreement with them.

C. Recruitment

Each person recruited by Guiti shall:

→ Signs the PPPF and the charter of commitment as part of signing their contract

→ Raises awareness about the PPPF amongst the team

→ Ensures that the PPPF is respected in the context of their professional activity

D. The specific issue of minors

Specific attention is paid to minors. Guiti is committed to avoiding as much as possible their diffusion in the media. We will be careful in the situation of an interview to always have the agreement of the parents/legal guardian and to expose the ins and outs and create an informed consent of the persons concerned by the media exposure. No image or name of a minor will be broadcast without explicit consent signed by a legal representative.