April 2023
Definition
Publicity for the purposes of this policy is defined as images and words used in the following platforms:
- BRWR newsletters and website.
- Items on social media such as Facebook.
- Printed and online articles in newspapers and magazines.
- Radio and television coverage is also included.
This policy notes that any non-internet publicity may also be accessible online so could potentially be viewed globally.
Reasons for publicity
- BRWR aims to use publicity to highlight the positive aspects of refugees settling in our community and the positive contributions they can make in the future.
- Publicity raises awareness of BRWR, creating opportunities for refugees or their supporters to make contact and request our services.
- Publicity can create greater understanding and tolerance of refugees settled locally.
- Volunteers, fund-raising activities and donations are crucial to BRWR. Publicity can enhance all of these elements through a higher profile, information and appeals.
- Publicity can also be a positive way to recognise the valuable work that volunteers undertake. This is good for morale.
Guiding principles
- Publicity should always be fair and accurate.
- It should aim to portray a positive image of refugees and the work of BRWR.
- No refugees must be put at risk as a result of publicity.
- Fully “informed consent” is an absolute prerequisite of any publicity.
- All adult refugees must have the opportunity to give permission for images and names to be used in publicity. Some will be keen to do so, others will not. But refugees must never be pressurised in any way. Refugees who refuse permission must be treated in exactly the same way as those who give permission.
- It is essential that we avoid refugees wrongly believing that publicity is a prerequisite for any of the support provided by BRWR.
- While adult refugees should be allowed to make their own choices, BRWR must still exercise care. On occasions it may not be appropriate for refugees who have agreed, to be used in publicity. The length of time a refugee has been in the UK should be taken into consideration – established individuals may be deemed more able to understand the issues.
- For child refugees, informed consent can only be given by a parent or guardian.
- Neither refugees nor BRWR should be brought into disrepute through any publicity.
Informing refugees about possible future publicity.
As well as the form that refugees sign to allow BRWR to hold and process personal details in line with GDPR regulations, they will be asked to sign another form which makes them aware that they may be asked to take part in BRWR publicity at some stage in the future.
It will also be made clear that on each publicity “occasion”, there will be a separate request for informed consent and there will be no obligation to agree – the help and support of BRWR will never be dependent on any such agreement.
Informed Consent
Assessing capacity is not the role of volunteers. BRWR should start from the position of assumed capacity and respect for adult refugees’ autonomy as competent adults.
However, informed consent must always be obtained for the use of any personal details or images. Verbal consent is adequate. Written consent only protects BRWR and not any refugees involved and is also impracticable and unnecessary in many current circumstances.
A full explanation should be given of where any publicity might appear, and what form it might take. It must also be made clear that many forms of publicity will also appear on the internet.
Informed consent is further complicated by the background of refugees. Issues include:
- Language barriers – is everything fully understood?
- Cultural differences – do they understand how things work in the UK?
- Circumstances in their home country – could relatives genuinely be at risk?
- Length of time in the UK – very new arrivals might not be the right choice for publicity.
- Risk of harm from publicity – might refugees be identified and targeted?
All the issues above should be appropriately explored and overcome when securing consent to use any personal details or images. No pressure should ever be imposed.
See below for “what to do in practice”.
Images, names and addresses
Images and names always create better publicity. Photos generally result in better publicity because of their impact, but personal details are not always needed and are not always appropriate. First names will often be adequate.
Images and names also help to portray a more positive impression of refugees making a new life in our communities. Hiding details, blurring faces and the like, can create an impression of secrecy and ‘other’.
Subjects of photos should be given the opportunity to view and approve the image before use – in practice, this will be best achieved immediately after the photo is taken.
Addresses should never be given. It will always be sufficient to provide the town where they live.
The level of use of personal details and images should be discussed with the refugee to explore a level acceptable to the refugee.
What to do in practice
Publicity can be an important part of the work of BRWR but, in terms of workload, it should be very minor. A small amount of advanced planning can facilitate all that’s required.
Informed consent must always be obtained. Volunteers seeking informed consent should make their own judgements as to the lengths that need to be taken to address the issues outlined above.
For example, a refugee who’s a neurologist with excellent English might be treated very differently to an uneducated person who relies on a translator. This decision might also be influenced by how well the volunteer knows the refugee and their previous responses to informed consent. However, informed consent should never be assumed based on previous responses.
No refugee should be pressurised into agreeing to publicity. At the sort of events which generally create publicity opportunities, there will usually be a number of refugees. Finding a willing alternative should not be too difficult.
While BRWR volunteers do not have a legal duty of care, they should exercise a sensible level of care for refugees they work with. Consequently, a volunteer might decide that it would not be responsible to accept informed consent from a particular refugee because of particular circumstances – if in such cases, prior information is known, it would be better to choose an alternative subject.
Taking a number of general photos and later trying to work out which one to use is not the best approach. Identifying a small number of willing participants and staging a photo will normally be easier and you’ll get a better photo.
Photos showing only the backs of heads and images that need to be blurred should be avoided. They would make BRWR look amateur, and no professional publication will use them.
Quotes really enhance any publicity item as they help to tell the story. A quick few words from refugees, especially those who are happy to provide at least a first name, should be easy to get. Record it on your phone, if your shorthand isn’t up to scratch.
Publicity does help the cause, but at the end of the day, it’s far from essential. The priority should be supporting refugees. Volunteers will obviously do their best, but missed opportunities are not be worried about.
Personal social media
BRWR publicity should never be directly carried out through personal social media.
Volunteers should not share images and messages in relation to refugees they meet through volunteering with BRWR, with anyone outside the BRWR group. The advice contained in this publicity policy should inform their actions in relation to their own use of social media.