Roundtable: Ethical Visual Storytelling in the Age of Technology, Conflict, and Child Rights


Organised by UNICEF-Giga, this event continues the conversation sparked by the Giga Photo Contest. It brings together photographers, editors, and academia to explore the ethical aspects of visual storytelling at the intersection of technology, conflict, and childhood.

Set in Geneva, a city of diplomacy and connectivity, we draw inspiration on the ethics of representation, especially in zones of conflict and displacement. It reminds us that every image of a child is a negotiation of power. Ethical guidelines are not bureaucratic checklists, they are moral compasses. They ask us to center consent, dignity, and context as the very architecture of the image.

Yet the terrain is shifting. Technology has expanded the possibilities of storytelling and the risks. How do we navigate this new landscape without losing our moral footing?

This roundtable will explore:

– Conflict and consent: How do we ensure informed consent in crisis zones, especially with minors?

– Technology and truth: How do AI, metadata, and digital manipulation affect the authenticity and accountability of visual narratives?

– The future of ethical storytelling: What new frameworks, tools, and collaborations can help us tell stories that are both powerful and principled?

The panelists are
– Munira Mutaher, Global Photo Editor, Rest of the World;
– Anush Babajanyan, VII Photo and National Geographic Explorer;
– Bassam Khabieh: Syrian photojournalist, author of Witnesses to War: “The Children of Syria”.

With an introduction by Danaé Panchaud, Director, Centre de la photographie Genève and Swiss Photomonth.

The roundtable will be conducted in English.