Media Policy
Introduction
At St. George’s School, we recognize the importance of media in capturing and sharing moments that reflect our community's values, achievements, and experiences. At the same time, we have an obligation to protect the privacy and safety of our students, faculty, staff and their families. This media policy is established to provide guidelines for visitors and external organizations on the appropriate, responsible, and respectful use of photo and video content captured on the St. George’s School campus.
This policy applies to all external organizations or individuals seeking to record content (i.e. photo, video, or audio recordings) at St. George’s School for any purpose, including but not limited to news reporting, documentary filming, and creation of promotional materials.
Prior Authorization
All external organizations or members of the press must obtain prior authorization from the St. George’s School Communications Office before taking photos and/or video on campus. This authorization will be granted based on the following considerations:
- The purpose of the photo shoot, video shoot or interview and its alignment with the mission and values of St. George’s School.
- The intended use of the photo/video/audio content and its potential impact on the school community.
- Compliance with legal and ethical standards regarding the privacy and rights of individuals captured in the media.
- Availability of resources and personnel to supervise the photo/video shoot.
If not working expressly for the St. George’s Communications Office, external organizations or individuals must ensure that appropriate consent and release forms are obtained from individuals who will be featured prominently in the photo/video content. These forms must clearly outline how the content will be used and distributed. For individuals under the age of 18, parental consent is required.
Respect for Privacy
External organizations or individuals must respect the privacy of St. George’s School students, faculty, staff, and visitors while capturing photo,video, and audio content on campus. This includes refraining from capturing images, footage and/or audio of individuals without their consent in situations where privacy would be reasonably expected (e.g. residential spaces such as dormitories, school housing).
Editorial Integrity
External organizations or individuals must maintain editorial integrity and accuracy when capturing and disseminating photo and video content related to St. George’s School. Content should not be manipulated or misrepresented in a manner that could harm the reputation or interests of the school or its community members.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
All photo and video content captured on the St. George’s School campus must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including copyright laws, intellectual property rights, and child protection laws. External organizations or individuals are responsible for obtaining any necessary permits or licenses for their activities. Drone operators must be fully licensed and insured.
The St. George’s School administration reserves the right to monitor and enforce compliance with this media policy. Violations of the policy may result in the revocation of authorization to capture photo, video, and audio content on campus and other appropriate measures, up to and including legal action.
Review and Revision
This media policy will be periodically reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. Feedback from the school community and changes in laws or regulations may prompt revisions to the policy.
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding the media policy or requests for authorization to capture photo, video, and audio content on St. George’s School premises, please contact Director of Communications Suzanne McGrady at Media@stgeorges.edu.
Acknowledgment
By capturing photo, video, and audio content on the St. George’s School campus, external organizations and individuals acknowledge their understanding and agreement to comply with this media policy.