La ética, la historia oral y sus consecuencias

Abstract

The case of the Irish Republican Army oral history archives, at Boston College, brought about an important discussion in terms of the uses of oral history. There are multiple problems for the oral historian from ethical issues to legal questions. In this discussion there is an underlying tensión between collective welfare and individual rights, between profesional and legal aspects, between the political and ther historical. Beyond legal problems, the use we make of an interview is guided by what criteria? How do gender, race, and sociocultural aspects impinge in the construction of an interview? On the other hand, to whom does an interview belong? Should we develop profesional ethics committees to determine a correct usage of interviews?