A critical analysis of documentary production ethics and technical standards of Zimbabwe’s key population documentaries.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
The majority of researchers on media and its impact on representation of Key Populations have
concentrated on print media and advertisement. Limited research has been undertaken to
understand how electronic media represent, and projects Key Populations (KP). Based on the
premise that documentarians use humans/ people as subjects and have the potential to impact the
lives of these people, the study examines ethical and technical issues that abound in documentary
filmmakers. It analyses six documentaries focusing on the presentation of key populations (sex
workers, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender) (LGBT) persons in Zimbabwe. Theoretically,
the study is informed by the framing theory and the social representation theory. Being qualitative
in design, the study relies on observation and content analysis research methodology. The study
argues that to a greater extent, most documentaries produced by Zimbabwean Non-Governmental
fail to meet ethical standards such as confidentiality, consent and presentation of the subject. The
reserach contends that the documentaries are subjective in their presentation of realities about the
lives and circumstances of key populations. The story angle, and presentation is highly influenced by the sponsors of documentaries. Such presentations promote negativity, fuel discrimination
against key populations in Zimbabwe and compromise the quality of the documentaries. The study
recommends that the government of Zimbabwe, working together with the Human Rights
Commission craft laws that protect key populations against discrimination by the media and
society. Producers and documentary filmmakers should be capacitated on key population
reporting. Film makers should also invest in professional film making equipment and widen their
distribution of the films.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.