Should a team doing a documentary on drug use/abuse give a drunk participant a ride instead of let her drive?

Published May 15, 2010

I saw AE’s Intervention last night. It is a documentary program that follows people who have alcohol/drug use problems. The story was about a woman who had a very serious problem with drinking. At 2 points during the show the woman was given a ride by the documentary producers because they did not want her to drive. I believe that to shoot a true documentary one should not interfer in the result, because then you become a participant, and the show is not longer a documentary. For instance if you saw that movie, The March of the Penguins, even though many penguins died from starvation, attacks and the elements, the producers did not interfer and let nature take its course. I understand that in Intervention we are talking about humans, but should a person shooting a documentary become involved in it to that level. This is just something I’ve been thinking about. Serious answers only, please.
This is a question about journalistic integrity folks and objectivity, not just your high morals. And no I don’t want to see anyone killed, but that means you don’t understand the question either.

Should a team doing a documentary on drug use/abuse give a drunk participant a ride instead of let her drive?

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