Ethical Storytelling and Digital Narratives: Lessons Learned in Student-led Podcasts and Community Radio Partnerships

Abstract

This paper explores the ethics of digital forms of narratives, storytelling, and relationship-building within social work and educational settings. We discuss the need for social workers to think intentionally about relationship-building, ethics, and informed consent when engaging in digital forms of narrative and storytelling. We draw from a study that engaged entry-level Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students in creating their own podcasts. Although BSW students simultaneously developed social work skills, critical thinking, and an understanding of theory and community engagement, the process raised important questions about establishing relationships. We draw data from: 1) a focus group with our radio station partners, 2) a focus group with BSW students who created their own podcasts, and 3) individual interviews with community partners who worked in collaboration with the students. As authors and researchers, we offer reflections on storytelling within podcasts and important considerations about the ethics of creating and disseminating digital narratives within social work praxis.

Podcasting and ethics: Independent podcast production in New Zealand

“…Over the years that have followed, the field of podcast studies has broadened in scope, and the frequency of articles being published has increased. Though 'podcasting practice' is the third most populated category (following 'education and pedagogy' and 'audiences and listenership'), there is only one article focussed on the ethics of podcasting practice (Greer, 2017), and similarly few ethics-focussed research projects across all the categories (Cardell, 2021;Rosenthal, 2016;Dawkins, 2021;Rogers and Herbert, 2020;Ferrer et al, 2021;Graham and Stevenson, 2022).…”

“…Cardell's (2021) unpacking of ethical questions surrounding the S-Town podcast also broadly addresses ethical journalism, before suggesting that literary nonfiction podcasts require audiences have the critical capacity to navigate 'presenters moving seamlessly from wild speculations to opinions and facts' (Lindgren, as quoted in Cardell, 2021). Ferrer et al (2021) produced podcasts as a tool for social work researchers and practitioners, before proposing a set of ethical principles for social work podcasts to adhere to. Roger and Herbert's (2020) similar work on an 'ethical toolbox' for podcasts produced in academic institutions concludes with a point central to all these studies.…”