Empathy engine or poverty porn? The challenges of telling stories from the developing world with 360 video

Both newsrooms and charities are increasingly embracing the format of 360 video to engage, and immerse their respective audiences in, stories from the developing world. More like storyliving than storytelling, the technology enables the filmmaker to place the viewer in the middle of the story allowing the viewer to rub shoulders with children in diamond mines, to stand on a boat as it rescues migrants in the Mediterranean, or to witness first-hand what life is like for one Rohingya woman in a refugee camp. But with the great power of the new medium, comes great responsibility. For example, how seriously should we consider the risk of vicarious trauma, and should local filmmakers be used to mitigate the extent of a colonial gaze? This session will hear from four experts who, using case studies, will highlight both the technical and ethical challenges of using the format, and how they overcame them.

After this session there will be a half-hour Virtual Reality Pop-Up in the courtyard outside the venue. This hands-on session will give attendees the opportunity to experience some of the featured 360 videos for themselves. The panel members will be available to help and answer any questions. Headsets will be provided - just bring your smartphone, with the YouTube app pre-installed if possible.