At the Collective Empowerment Foundation (CEF), our commitment to transparency and community empowerment extends to every photograph, video, and audio recording we produce. We believe that capturing the stories of the communities we serve is a profound responsibility that must be grounded in mutual respect and clear legal protections for all individuals involved.
The Standard of Informed Consent
A fundamental pillar of our media operations is that every individual featured in CEF content, posts, or materials has signed a formal consent form. This requirement ensures that any media captured during our project activities is used specifically for the purpose of promoting our charitable work and highlighting the resilience of remote communities. For participants under the age of 18, we strictly require the signature and verified consent of a parent or legal guardian before any recording takes place.
Mutual Communication and Understanding
We believe that consent is only valid if it is mutually communicated and fully understood. Our field teams work to ensure that every participant understands exactly how their image or voice may be used, which includes platforms such as the CEF website, social media, printed reports, and media coverage produced with our partner organizations. We prioritize the responsible and respectful use of all content, especially when documenting sensitive contexts involving health, children, or traditional customs.
Upholding Individual Rights
Respecting the agency of our partners means ensuring all individuals understand their rights regarding their own image. Every participant is informed of the following:
- Right to Privacy: Names will not be published alongside media unless explicit permission is granted separately.
- Voluntary Participation: Consent is given voluntarily, and participants waive any right to financial compensation related to the publication or distribution of these materials.
- Right to Withdraw: While media may be used for future promotions, participants maintain the right to notify CEF in writing to formally withdraw their consent at any time.
- Content Ownership: All captured content remains the property of CEF to ensure it is handled according to our strict ethical and safety standards.
Our Media Consent Framework
To maintain the highest level of accountability, all signed consent forms are securely stored by both CEF Australia and the relevant project team in the field. This dual-storage system ensures that we can quickly reference and respect the wishes of any community member we have engaged with.
For more details on our specific legal waivers and participant protections, you can read our full Media Consent Form below:
