Project Syria: Accuracy in Immersive Journalism

This chapter investigates opportunities and dilemmas of VR journalism through a case study of Nonny de la Peña’s pioneering production Project Syria from 2014. The Project Syria exemplifies a computer-generated imagery experience that prompts crucial journalism concerns that still awaits more discussion. While de Pena and the Emblematic Group envisioned an empathetic wake-up call by innovative technological means, this case study investigates to what extent the VR story potentially deviates from established norms of journalism accuracy, and in what ways it departs from the norms. The chapter zooms in on the particular journalism challenges of computer-generated imagery (CGI) in VR by applying the main principles of one of the most wide spread Code of Ethics programs in journalism. Our point of departure is thus the application of the 35 bullet points provided by the American Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) last updated in 2014.