ETHICAL STANDARDS
VidWire operates at the intersection of journalism, crisis, and commerce. We believe profit and ethics aren't mutually exclusive—they're inseparable.
OUR MISSION
To create a fair, transparent marketplace where citizen journalists are compensated fairly for their work, media organizations get verified content they can trust, and no one profits from human suffering. We exist to empower truth-tellers—not exploit them.
CORE PRINCIPLES
Journalist Safety First
We never compromise journalist safety for profit. Anonymous submissions, delayed publication, and identity protection are core features—not afterthoughts.
Content We Won't Monetize
Some content should never have a price tag. We refuse to create financial incentives for documenting human suffering.
Fair & Transparent Pricing
Journalists deserve fair compensation. We advocate for their value, not a race to the bottom.
Radical Transparency
Trust requires transparency. We're open about how we operate, what we collect, and how decisions are made.
WHY WE DON'T PAY FOR ATROCITY FOOTAGE
This is a deliberate ethical choice, not a limitation.
What paying would create:
- •Financial incentive to record (or stage) horrific acts
- •"Atrocity tourism" — seeking horrors to film for cash
- •Profit from documenting others' worst moments
- •Bad actors creating content for payment
What our approach ensures:
- •Pure motives — documentation for justice, not money
- •Proper handling by ICC, HRW, and legal experts
- •Chain of custody preserved for prosecution
- •No VidWire staff exposed to traumatic content
If you have evidence of war crimes or human rights abuses, we'll connect you with organizations equipped to handle it properly. See our guidelines
OUR COMMITMENTS
No Atrocity Incentives
By refusing to pay for evidentiary content, we eliminate the financial incentive to record or stage horrific acts. Those who document injustice should do so for justice—not money.
Journalist Advocacy
We advocate for fair pay and working conditions. We're on the side of the people risking their safety to inform the world, not extracting maximum value from their work.
Privacy by Design
We collect only what's necessary. Journalist identities are protected by default. We never sell personal data or share it with third parties beyond what's required for transactions.
Access to Justice
When journalists capture evidence of crimes against humanity, we direct them to organizations equipped to handle it properly—ICC, Human Rights Watch, Witness.org—preserving evidentiary value.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Ethics without accountability is just marketing. Here's how we hold ourselves to these standards:
Ethics reviews published publicly
External advisory board oversight
Policy changes communicated openly
Questions about our ethical standards? Concerns about content or practices?
Contact Our Ethics Team