03 – Journalistic accountability
Filmmakers have the same ethical and legal obligation as journalists to not present misinformation as fact. Doing otherwise can put yourself, your film, your team, your participants, and your partners at risk.
Assess
According to Reporters without Borders, press freedom around the globe is diminishing. In 2025, for the first time in the history of the group’s World Press Freedom Index, over half of the world’s population lives in a country in which the situation is classified as “very serious.” Consult the index to guide you in your selection of locations and to understand the protections you will need to have in place, regardless of where you shoot.
Even in countries with laws that protect journalists, don't presume you’re free from the risk of arrest, surveillance, or pressure to reveal sources. And, regardless of where you are in the world, there could be legal implications to being in possession of leaked documents.
During development and pre-production, ensure that the sources you have identified will — collectively — provide a balanced, and fact-based perspective. Assess this again during production and post-production. For distribution, think about how the film is being framed and marketed and whether the facts will substantiate what is being claimed in the marketing materials themselves.
Mitigate
Stave off the possibility of having your integrity questioned or even being sued for defamation — the unmerited undermining of an individual or organization’s reputation by making a false written or oral statement about them to a third party — by following the Ethical Journalism Network’s five core principles of journalism and considering how they apply to you as a documentary filmmaker.
- Truth and accuracy. Get the facts right.
- Independence. Be an independent voice.
- Fairness and impartiality. Tell balanced stories and provide context.
- Humanity. Do no harm.
- Accountability. Provide remedies when you are unfair.
For filmmakers motivated by a desire to have a social or policy impact, telling a “balanced story” may feel like an anathema, but giving factual weight to an adversary may ultimately strengthen your argument.
Disclosing the use of AI in your storytelling is also an imperative for retaining credibility and trust with your audience, participants, and stakeholders. Whether it was used to create content or make decisions, you should be forthcoming about its role.
Whether or not you perceive yourself as a journalist, we recommend securing press credentials when filming at a public event or a private event that is open to the press.
When traveling on location, an official journalist visa may provide you with legitimacy, particularly if you run into trouble and need help from official channels. But it may not always be possible to obtain this type of visa, or it could impede your ability to film credibly in a country with strong state surveillance. Talk to other filmmakers who have filmed in a country to benefit from their firsthand experience to shape your approach.