ABSTRACT
New duty of care regulations have been initiated in countries around the world, including the UK, where broadcasters are now required to take ‘due care’ of ‘vulnerable’ contributors. However, while debates have tended to focus on the impact of social media and confrontational formats, less attention has been paid to more fundamental issues about the structural organisation of the cultural industries. This chapter examines the risks and benefits of media participation, finding that despite the potential for positive experiences, contributors are also at genuine risk of psychological, reputational, and even physical harm. Although the new regulations make a positive step towards reprioritising the wellbeing of contributors, they are failing to address the underlying causes of distress.
