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Ethics Statement

Purpose

Earthship Media is an independent documentary filmmaking studio committed to ethical, transparent, and community-centered storytelling. This statement outlines the principles that guide the selection, production, funding, and sharing of stories. It exists to provide clarity for participants, supporters, partners, and audiences.

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Editorial Independence

Earthship Media maintains complete editorial independence over all documentary content. Financial supporters include community contributors, sponsors, and partners but do not influence:

  • story selection

  • filming decisions

  • editing choices

  • narrative framing

  • final publication

 

Support sustains the work but does not determine its direction. All editorial decisions remain the filmmaker's responsibility.

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Community-Funded Storytelling

Participation in community documentary stories is always free for the individuals featured. Earthship Media operates a community-funded storytelling model in which stories are supported through:

  • voluntary community contributions

  • aligned sponsorships

  • independent documentary funding

  • commissioned projects that are clearly identified as such

 

This approach ensures accessibility, fairness, and trust so that no one is excluded from participation due to financial limitations.

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Transparency & Disclosure

Earthship Media is committed to clear and honest disclosure.

  • Sponsored stories are identified as supported content.

  • Commissioned or client-owned projects are labeled accordingly.

  • Community-funded projects are identified as such.

 

Viewers have the right to understand how stories are supported.

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Ethical Documentary Practices

Earthship Media follows established documentary ethics and best practices, including:

  • Informed Consent - Participants understand the intent, scope, and potential distribution of the film.

  • Accuracy - Stories are represented truthfully and responsibly.

  • Dignity & Respect - Individuals are not exploited, misrepresented, or sensationalized.

  • Non-Staging - Scenes are not scripted, staged, or manipulated for effect.

  • Contextual Integrity - Stories are framed within their broader social, environmental, and human context.

 

Human-Centered Perspective

Earthship Media approaches documentary storytelling through a human-rights-informed perspective. Environmental, social, and economic issues are presented as lived experiences that affect real people and communities. The goal is understanding and not persuasion, which will allow audiences to engage thoughtfully with the realities presented.

 

Sponsorship Boundaries

Sponsorships support the sustainability of independent storytelling but do not provide editorial control.

Sponsors:

  • do not select subjects

  • do not review or approve edits

  • do not influence narrative outcomes

 

This separation protects both the integrity of the stories and the credibility of the sponsors.

 

Accountability

Earthship Media is accountable to:

  • the individuals who share their stories

  • the communities represented

  • supporters who make the work possible

  • audiences who trust the content

 

Feedback, dialogue, and reflection are welcomed as part of this responsibility.

 

Commitment

Earthship Media exists to document where local life meets global change with honesty, independence, and ethics.

 

Contact

Questions regarding ethics, independence, or disclosure may be directed to:
connect@earthshipmedia.com

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