In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage across Jamaica, the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU) is urging church communicators, journalists, and volunteers to practice great care and respect in how stories and images are shared.
The call comes amid widespread documentation of relief efforts that risk overlooking the dignity and privacy of those affected, though much of it is well-intentioned.
“In our effort to highlight what the Church is doing and to keep donors informed, we must never forget that behind every image and interview is a person, someone’s data, someone’s dignity,” said Brendon Coleman, JAMU’s Data Protection Officer and Assistant to the Communication Director. “The truth is, not every story is ours to tell.”