What we hold the work to
Unseen Borders is a production company built around journalism. These are the standards we commit to as we begin, written plainly so broadcasters, partners, sponsors and audiences know how we intend to work.
Accuracy before assumption. Context before conclusion. People before stereotypes.
We are a new company, so this is a statement of intent rather than a description of a large newsroom. It is the standard every commission, film and report we produce will be measured against.
Where a project is sponsored, commissioned or made in partnership, that relationship is disclosed. Editorial conclusions stay with us.
Accuracy
We verify information before publication and distinguish clearly between confirmed fact, allegation, analysis and opinion.
When something cannot be independently confirmed, we say so rather than presenting it as fact.
Fairness
Stories are approached with a genuine effort to understand the people, communities and institutions involved. On disagreement, politics, conflict and public affairs, relevant sides get a fair opportunity to be represented.
Fairness does not mean false balance where the evidence does not support it.
Independence
Editorial decisions are made on journalistic judgment. Sponsors, brands, partners, governments and other outside interests do not determine the factual conclusions of our reporting.
Sponsored, commissioned or partnership work is disclosed where relevant.
Verification
Reporting rests on firsthand work: direct interviews, primary documents, credible data, trusted local journalists, subject matter experts and reliable independent sources.
Context
We go past the isolated headline. Reporting explains the history, politics, culture and circumstances that help an audience understand why something is happening.
On the ground reporting
Wherever possible we go to the place and the community being covered, and speak with people living the story rather than relying on outside commentary.
Cultural respect
Reporting across countries and cultures requires context and humility. We avoid stereotypes and sensationalism, and we do not reduce a community to conflict, poverty, politics or scenery.
People are portrayed as people, not as symbols of a story.
Corrections
If we make a meaningful factual error we correct it clearly and promptly, in the place the error appeared. Accuracy matters more than protecting our pride.
Transparency
Where it is relevant we explain where information came from, what could not be confirmed, and what limited the reporting. The audience should be able to tell what we know from what we are still working out.
Human dignity
Interview subjects, victims, vulnerable communities and ordinary people are treated with dignity. The fact that something can be filmed or published does not mean it should be.
The visuals strengthen the journalism. They never distort it
Photography, editing, music and pacing exist to hold attention, not to persuade an audience of something the reporting does not support. If a cut would make a scene feel truer than the evidence allows, we do not make that cut.
Sources we trust
Social media is a lead, not evidence. Nothing from a feed is treated as verified until we can stand behind it ourselves.
Questions about how we work
Commissioners and partners are welcome to ask how a story was sourced, what we could not confirm, and where a correction was made.