大象传媒

What is 'Don't Tell Me To Smile'?

Don't Tell Me To Smile is an experiment in digital storytelling with a mission to change the way the 大象传媒 makes content for women. It's a new format which curates content posted by women across the media on topics that matter. There is no expert advice or 大象传媒 narration, but a selection of the most interesting and informative posts ordered to create a meaningful story.

Meaningful in what way?

Don't Tell Me To Smile encourages women to be active about the way they are represented in the media. 'If you don't speak for yourself, someone will speak for you’. Each story is interactive and has a community of users. You can react to what you see, compare to how others have reacted and discuss the ideas raised.

Reacting to the stereotypical and cringey shallow treatment of stories 'for women' we wanted to talk with you, not at you about topical issues like the debate around egg freezing, tattoo prejudice, and the female image in the media. We want to bring you into the conversation and add to the story with the way you see things.

What else were you looking to achieve?

One thing we wanted to do was to create a community feeling, and we really had to ask ourselves how we could do that when you're watching an on demand story on your own? We added lots of interactive elements that you can respond to, but crucially could also see the response of everyone else who was watching. Whether that was the result of a vote, a response to a question, or being able to see at what exact points on a video everyone else had agreed or disagreed with the opinions being posed.

Terms & Conditions

Read on to find out more about the Don't Tell Me To Smile voting terms and conditions

1. From time to time the 大象传媒 will ask you to give your opinions on various topics by way of an online vote in Don't Tell Me To Smile. You can take part only by accessing the vote step within Don't Tell Me To Smile.
You will find a statement which you can agree or disagree with. You can register your vote electronically by selecting the option you agree with.

2. You cannot vote by any other method. Results will be published within the Don't Tell Me To Smile documentary.

3. These votes will open whenever Don't Tell Me To Smile of which they form part is published, and will normally stay open as long as Don't Tell Me To Smile is live.

4. This is not a competition and there will be no prize.

5. The 大象传媒 reserves the right to disqualify entries or suspend voting if it has reasonable grounds to suspect that fraudulent voting has occurred or if it considers there has been any attempt to rig the voting. The 大象传媒 has the right to substitute an alternative selection method at its absolute discretion.

6. If, for any reason, the online voting system fails, the vote may be suspended or a contingency plan may be actioned.

7. The 大象传媒 reserves the right to change, cancel or suspend the vote at any time.

8. The 大象传媒 cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any technical failure or malfunction, or any other problem with any online system, server, provider or otherwise which may result in any vote being lost or not properly registered and recorded.

9. Please note that any 大象传媒 staff member or anyone who is directly connected in any way with the production of the programme is not eligible to vote.

10. The voting in this programme accords with the 大象传媒’s Code of Conduct for Voting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/page/guidelines-appendices-appendix-2-competitions

11. The 大象传媒 will only use your personal data for the purposes of running this vote. The 大象传媒 complies with the Data Protection Act 1998, as amended. For more information please see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/privacy/

12. These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.