Sam Gregory's Media

Cameras Everywhere: Human Rights and the Ethics of Ubiquitous Video

Sam Gregory — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:43:06 -0800

Updated version of a WITNESS presentation on video online and the human rights considerations around safety, security, dignity and consent.Please feedback via the comments section or directly to sam [at] witness.org.

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WITNESS was created over fifteen years ago, shortly after the Rodney King incident, by Peter Gabriel and other allies. At the time, our founders asked: What if every human rights worker had a camera in their hands? What would they be able to document? What would they be able to change? For fifteen years we have engaged with the risks, the opportunities and the possibilities for action that emerge from the power of moving images – training and supporting human rights activists worldwide to create real change.
Now, it is every citizen who has a camera - and it is participants, witnesses and perpetrators who are filming.

Everyday witnessing of human rights violations We have all witnessed videos, particularly mobile video, documenting and publicizing human rights struggle from monks marching for freedom in Rangoon and the election protestors in Tehran to individual voices speaking out against injustice on YouTube. Online there is an abundance of peer-produced content 'for the good’ and multiplying opportunities for transparency, participation and action.

But what about safety, consent, dignity and retaliation? However, despite the growing online circulation of images of human rights violations, victims and survivors, there is a limited discussion of the related safety, consent and ethical concerns that arise, particularly for people who are filmed.

What responsibilities do we have as witnesses? At the heart of human rights is the idea of respect for the dignity, worth and integrity of every person. We believe that we have an ethical responsibility as witnesses to violations to share the suffering of others in a manner that empathizes with - rather than re-violates and re-victimizes the victim or survivor of abuse.

How can we together respond? Issues around consent, representation and direct re-victimization and retaliation have emerged even more clearly in an open and networked online environment. Video is being reworked, remixed and re-circulated by many more people. With this we all see the renewed possibilities for action by a global citizenry but also real dangers that the technology community can help lead the way in confronting.

As a starting point for a conversation that we hope will share learning, identify problems and challenges, and propose solutions, here are some questions we focused on:

*How can we best introduce ideas around consent, safety and human dignity into broader online culture?

*What technology solutions can address challenges around consent, representation, and safety?

*How do we protect and balance openness and transparency with a proactive response to risks?

* Who else should we bring into this conversation? What are the best fora to engage with? How could we start to move this conversation forward?

The Ethics of Online Video - Human Rights, Dignity, Consent, Safety

Sam Gregory — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:38:06 -0700

In June 2009, my colleague Sameer Padania and I were part of a panel at the Open Video Conference in New York City on ‘Human Rights, Indigenous Media and Open Video.'

We used the opportunity to launch what will be a continuing effort by WITNESS to engage with the many different human rights issues raised by contemporary online video, including dignity, re-victimization, consent and security.

This is the video we used for the WITNESS presentation at the conference. Watch and tell us what you think - what should WITNESS and others be doing in this area?

UDHR 60: Rahimi from Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission

Sam Gregory — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:50:06 -0800

Said Abdul Qader Rahimi from the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) answers the question "What image opened your eyes to human rights?" by describing a photo of himself that he has held onto from the Taliban era.

UDHR 60: Josie Kauona Sirivi, Bougainville Women for Peace and Freedom

Sam Gregory — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:43:18 -0800

Bougainville activist Josie Kaouna Sirivi answers the question "What image opened your eyes to human rights?"

UDHR 60th Anniversary: Sam Gregory

Sam Gregory — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:44:52 -0800

For 16 years, WITNESS has harnessed the power of video to advance human rights. In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, we're asking our friends and partners to answer the following question:

What image opened your eyes to human rights?
Was it an image or video that gave you hope, or did it show you how much further we needed to go and inspire you to take action?

In this video, WITNESS' Sam Gregory, Program Director, answers the question and talks about an image from Eastern Burma that made a lasting impression on him.

Alan Miller - Speech at the CIVICUS World Assembly

Sam Gregory — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:31:07 -0700

This speech of Alan Miller was filmed by a fellow participant at the CIVICUS World Assembly, 18-21 June 2008, in Glasgow, Scotland.
The CIVICUS World Assembly is a forum for international civil society representatives to get together, exchange ideas, experiences and build strategies for a just world.

Alan Miller is the chair of the Scottish Human Rights Comission. The Commission will promote widespread awareness, understanding of, and respect for human rights; review and recommend changes to any policies or practices of any Scottish public authorities and provide advice and guidance.

Prof Miller has a combination of experience and expertise in the field of human rights grounded in 25 years involvement with the legal, academic and voluntary communities within Scotland .

Erika Izquierdo - Interview at the CIVICUS World Assembly

Sam Gregory — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:17:46 -0700

This interview with Erika Izquierdo was conducted by a fellow participant at the CIVICUS World Assembly, 18-21 June 2008, in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is a growing alliance of trade unions, community groups, faith groups, women and youth organisations, NGOs and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, we demand solutions that address the issues of
* Public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights
* Trade justice
* A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development
* Debt cancellation
* Gender equality must also be at the heart of eradicating poverty.

The CIVICUS World Assembly is a forum for international civil society representatives to get together, exchange ideas, experiences and build strategies for a just world.

Ricky Stuart - Interview at the CIVICUS World Assembly

Sam Gregory — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:02:35 -0700

This interview with Ricky Stuart was conducted by a fellow participant at the CIVICUS World Assembly, 18-21 June 2008, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Ricky Stuart is working for 'Gender at Work'. Gender at Work promotes women’s empowerment
and gender equality through institutional change.
We accomplish this by analyzing an organization’s culture, policies and leadership, and by encouraging practical changes that have a direct, positive impact both on the organization and the communities it serves.

The CIVICUS World Assembly is a forum for international civil society representatives to get together, exchange ideas, experiences and build strategies for a just world.

Mamadou Seck - Interview at the CIVICUS World Assembly

Sam Gregory — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:50:29 -0700

These two interviews with Mamadou Seck were conducted by a fellow participant at the CIVICUS World Assembly, 18-21 June 2008.

Mamadou Seck is the Executive director of Forum Civil Senegal.

Le Forum Civil est une association de la société civile qui a été créée en janvier 1993 sur la base d’un manifeste contenant onze principes directeurs qui inspirent l’action de l’association pour :
- la promotion d’une démocratie globale et participative déclinée dans toutes ses dimensions : politique, sociale, économique et culturelle ;
- l’émergence d’une nouvelle citoyenneté consacrant un citoyen actif et responsable qui soit en mesure de faire prendre en compte ses aspirations par les décideurs et d’exiger le respect du principe de l’accountability ;
- la transparence, la bonne gouvernance et la lutte contre la corruption ;
- la valorisation de l’expertise nationale et une meilleure prise en compte de la dimension technique objective dans les prises de décision.

The CIVICUS World Assembly is a forum for international civil society
representatives to get together, exchange ideas, experiences and build
strategies for a just world.

Seth Abloso - Interview at the CIVICUS World Assembly

Sam Gregory — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:06:37 -0700

This interview was conducted by a fellow participant at the CIVICUS World Assembly, 18-21 June 2008, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Seth Abloso is working with the Ghana Trades Union Congress, a campaign for human rights. Also he is a member of the GCAP Africa Council, working to fight against poverty.
The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is a growing alliance of trade unions, community groups, faith groups, women and youth organisations, NGOs and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, we demand solutions that address the issues of
* Public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights
* Trade justice
* A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development
* Debt cancellation
* Gender equality must also be at the heart of eradicating poverty.

The CIVICUS World Assembly is a forum for international civil society representatives to get together, exchange ideas, experiences and build strategies for a just world.