Draft guidelines on portrayal of 'vulnerable people'

Proposed guidelines on the portrayal of vulnerable people in broadcasting have been submitted to the newly set up editorial board of Public Broadcasting Services.

People facing financial difficulties, those with mental or physical disabilities, victims of abuse, drugs, alcohol or usury are among those being considered as a vulnerable segment of society.

As yet there have never been any clear guidelines to direct producers on the participation of vulnerable people who are often being invited on radio and television programmes.

The proposed guidelines were drawn up by two social workers, Christina Borg and Marika Borg Wirth, together with the members of the editorial board Fr Joe Borg and Mary Anne Lauri.

The editorial board is now studying the proposals and is inviting any interested parties to submit their comments before they are adopted, in line with the PBS's policy to ensure its programmes are ethical and of a high professional level.

The board felt the need for such guidelines because while it recognised the validity of inviting vulnerable people it was also aware of the possible problems that could arise if certain issues were not tackled in a dignified way.

The proposed guidelines stipulate that producers should first ask such people invited on the programme to sign a declaration giving their consent. It is also being proposed that in certain cases a psychologist or social worker should be involved to give advice before the person consents.

Children's participation, the use of close-ups, reference to third persons, anonymity and people's rights are among the issues tackled by the proposed guidelines.

It is being proposed that children have the right to object to take part in a programme even if their parents want them to appear.

The guidelines can be downloaded from the PBS website at www.pbs.com.mt