Dialling up disadvantage: ethical issues when a journalist wants to speak to a ‘poor person’.
Ingrid van Steenwyk and Karen Bevan
UnitingCare Burnside
Contact Email:   ingridvsburnside.org.au

Using the media is an effective advocacy strategy for non government organisations that seek to bring attention to or stimulate debate on important social policy issues. Some researchers suggest that the media have more influence on child protection policy and practice than professionals.

As well as promoting the views of experts in the field, one of the best ways to convey the real impact and complexity of an issue is through the voice of someone experiencing the effects of it first hand.

'Case studies' are a recognised tool used by workers in the human services and the media to influence social policy and bring a human face to the serious issue of disadvantage. Media often source their case studies - people who are considered poor or marginalised in some way through NGOs.

This paper will explore some of the ethical considerations that UnitingCare Burnside experiences in putting forward 'case studies' to media. Does the process help to empower marginalised individuals, whose voice is ordinarily stifled in public debate? Or does it represent the exploitation of vulnerable people merely to satisfy a media agenda? What are the risks and benefits - for service users? staff? the organisation? How can NGOs maintain a presence in the media but protect the safety and integrity of those they assist at the same time?

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