This Editorial Policy is based on a policy developed by MediaBox

Follow these rules or your project won’t get seen or heard!

Factual projects mustn’t mislead the audience, misrepresent facts or try and influence people’s minds. If you’re dramatising a news programme or article, make sure it’s clear it’s not real news, making it obvious if it’s fiction and stating it either in the narrative or on the screen if it’s a reconstruction.

Make sure that you report facts as they are, that you are politically impartial and that you treat anyone expressing their views in your project fairly letting them know exactly what you plan to say. Be balanced by making sure you get across all points of view.

Avoid getting information by lying, setting someone up, door-stopping or wind-ups unless you manage to get the person’s consent before you finish your project. If there’s a competition in your project, make sure the rules are very clear and that prizes are properly described and that the person supplying the prize has no editorial control or input into your project.

Your personal safety is always the most important factor in any project. While participating in Alt Valley Vision, or creating content for other purposes, always stop to consider your own safety as well as the safety of others, and the equipment you are using. Film in safe places, never film alone outside, always get the right permissions, and always tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back. Carefully consider what kind of content you want to publish on the internet, and think about how information that you publish could be used by others. Read more about how to stay safe in our Help > Personal Safety section.

Try not to show people taking drugs, smoking, abusing solvents or misusing alcohol and if you do (and there needs to be a really good reason), NEVER make it look cool or someone might copycat. If you can, don’t show any violent behaviour or violent talk that people might want to copy.

Avoid bad language or it’ll end up not being heard.

Even if you choose to beep bad language, there’s a chance the broadcaster will decide against showing your project.

Unless it’s educational, you can’t show any sexual acts or nudity and if you do make sure it’s limited, not very explicit and you explain your reasons for showing it.

Respect all cultures, religions and faiths.

If you’re promoting a particular belief make sure you state clearly that this is your plan.

Don’t say you’ve got special powers or abilities and don’t show real exorcisms, occult practices and the paranormal.

Try to avoid giving too much exposure to a particular brand.

Try to avoid logos and branding on clothing, posters and products.

Don’t distort your project to sell a brand or product.

Don’t accept money to promote a brand or product within your project.

Don’t ask for money within your project.

Make sure there’s no legal reason why you shouldn’t disclose someone’s identity.

Check with their legal representative.

Don’t show full descriptions or demonstrations of crimes.

If you’re doing a reconstruction of a real life crime, make sure you leave a bit out or you might find someone copies you.

Don’t pay convicted or confessed criminals for taking part in your project, but do feel free to interview them with their consent.

Make sure anyone taking part in your project has agreed to do so in writing before any recording takes place. If you or anyone else involved is under 18 years old make sure you get written permission from a parent or guardian before any recording takes place. For anyone not in a position (through illness for example) to give permission, you must get permission from the person who has primary responsibility of their care before any recording takes place.

Try and avoid surprising anyone (for an interview, for example door-stepping). Better to warn them you are coming first, unless you’re sure that you won’t get an honest response otherwise. Using a hidden camera is only acceptable if you are sure there is no other way of getting the information you need. Be sensitive when approaching anyone physically, mentally or emotionally suffering or in a state of distress.

You need written permission to record anything on land, in buildings, in public places, in institutions, in organisations, in agencies or any private property unless it’s only in the background. Where possible, make sure any material (whether visual or audio) is original to your project. If you must use a photo, a film clip, an audio clip or pre-recorded music (for example), make sure you have written permission.

When creating content for the Alt Valley Vision project, you must get written permissions using our forms, available in our Help > Downloads section.

This Editorial Policy is based on a policy developed by MediaBox. MediaBox is a consortium consisting of First Light Movies, Media Trust, Skillset and the UK Film Council, and funded by the Department for Education and Skills.

If you need more information, check out the MediaBox Useful links page.

Alt Valley Vision will investigate any complaints and will take appropriate action where necessary.

If you break the rules, you risk having your content removed from the portal and your membership and all access privileges terminated.