ADDING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO VIDEO FILMING Filming for human rights can be dangerous. It can put you, the people you are filming and the communities you are filming in at risk. Carefully assess the risks before you press “record”. Do your best to implement the guidance below, but understand that nothing stated in this guide is absolute and you should modify the practices to fit your needs. When possible, seek support from local experts. Even if you cannot fully implement this guidance, your footage may still provide valuable information that could lead human rights organizations and advocates to answers and, in turn, to the protection of our basic human rights. INTRODUCTION To be evidence, investigators, analysts and lawyers must be able to prove: • When: The date and time of the filming • Where: The location • What: That the content in the video is, in fact, what it says it is and if safe, • Who: The person that captured the footage on camera Adding this information to a video will make it much easier for reviewers that were not at the scene of the human rights incident to verify the content. Easier verification means there is a better chance that the video will be useful to secure justice. By adapting the steps and script below to fit your situation and security limitations, you can enhance the evidentiary value of video you take the time and risk to collect. KEY DECISION POINT: SAFETY Filming for human rights can be dangerous. Your safety, and the safety of the individuals and communities you are working to protect, is always more important than capturing footage. Before you film, be sure to carefully consider: • Whether filming is an appropriate documentation tool or not? • If so, ask yourself whether it’s safe to disclose your identify and the identity of others on scene or whether you should film anonymously and hide the identities on those you film? If you decide it’s safe to film, disclose your identity and the identities of other individuals on scene, then here some ideas on how you can add essential information to your video using narration or a written camera slate. FOR MORE INFORMATION If safety and security requires that you film anonymously, see Techniques for Filming Anonymously. 102 VIDEO AS EVIDENCE: ADDING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION V 1.0