Abstract

This paper examines the ethical dimensions of interactive documentary (i-doc) forms through three interrelated 
lenses: choice, empathy, and evidence. As digital technologies transform documentary practice, interactivity 
introduces new possibilities for user agency, participatory storytelling, and co-creation of meaning. However, 
these affordances also generate complex ethical challenges. The study explores how choice architecture shapes 
autonomy, responsibility, and narrative control, often balancing user freedom with subtle forms of coercion. It 
further analyzes empathy as both an affective and cognitive mechanism, highlighting how interactive engagement 
can deepen emotional connection while also risking manipulation or selective identification. In addition, the paper 
interrogates the evolving nature of evidence in interactive contexts, where user-generated content raises questions 
of credibility, data provenance, and representational truth. Drawing on conceptual analysis and case-based 
insights, the study underscores the need for robust ethical frameworks that address design practices, stakeholder 
involvement, and methodological evaluation. Ultimately, it argues that while interactive documentaries hold 
significant potential for enhancing civic engagement, critical literacy, and participatory culture, their ethical 
integrity depends on carefully negotiated relationships between agency, empathy, and evidentiary standards.