MEDIA ETHICS ADDENDUM

ASWALK FESTIVAL – MEDIA & STORYTELLING GUIDELINES

This Addendum applies to all journalists, filmmakers, photographers, content creators, and media partners seeking to cover ASWALK Festival.

Media Access Is Conditional

Media access to ASWALK Festival is granted only to individuals and organisations that agree to these ethical guidelines.

Core Principles

1. Consent is mandatory.
No photography, filming, audio recording, or interviews may take place without explicit, informed consent from participants. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.

2. No pity-based narratives.
Coverage that relies on shock, tragedy, “before-and-after” framing, or emotional manipulation is strictly prohibited.

3. Language standards.
Media must avoid language that frames appearance differences as defects, abnormalities, or problems to be fixed. Terms such as “suffering from,” “victim,” or “disfigured” are not acceptable unless explicitly self-used by the participant.

4. Children are protected.
Media engagement with minors is highly restricted and subject to ASWALK’s safeguarding protocols. No recording of children is permitted without written parental/guardian consent and ASWALK approval.

5. Editorial integrity.
ASWALK Festival reserves the right to revoke media access if coverage violates these principles or misrepresents the community.

Accreditation Requirement

All media representatives must:

• Read and agree to this Addendum

• Sign the Media Ethics Agreement

• Comply with ASWALK’s safeguarding and consent protocols

ASWALK Festival is not a backdrop for stories of pity.
It is a platform for dignity, truth, and self-representation.