What's the role of photo journalism?
The role of photo journalism is to visually inform the public with what is going on in the world around them. The phrase “A picture means a thousand words,” is quite an accurate definition of what photo journalism represents. When someone looks at a picture there are a variety of responses that they can have. These photos are strictly used to enhance a story and bring more of a realistic element to it.
Are there rules that photojournalists should follow? Why? Why not?
Yes. There are rules that photojournalists should follow.
There are nine standards from the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Code of Ethics.
1. Accurately represent subjects
2. Do not be manipulated by staged photos
3. Avoid bias and stereotyping in work; provide complete information and context
4. Show consideration for subjects
5. Avoid influencing the actions of the photographic subject
6. Editing should not give the wrong impression of the subjects in the photograph
7. Do not compensate persons involved in photographs or in getting a photograph
8. Do not accept gifts or other favors from those involved in a photo
9. Do not purposely interfere with the work of other journalists
Also, we need to focus on the ethics violations. Everyone has right to keep their secret. How could someone just hide himself and wait to catch the photo about other people’s front wheel of bicycle fall into a puddle, and then his body fall on the ground? However, how about people accidentally catch that second and want others to think?
Although we have lots of photo editing software now, the photojournalism ethics are still important for photojournalists.
Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos different than the ethics of writing a news story?
According to the Society of Professional Journalists their Code of Ethics includes 4 areas:
Seek Truth and Report It - Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
1. Accurately represent subjects
2. Do not be manipulated by staged photos
3. Avoid bias and stereotyping in work; provide complete information and context
4. Show consideration for subjects
5. Avoid influencing the actions of the photographic subject
6. Editing should not give the wrong impression of the subjects in the photograph
7. Do not compensate persons involved in photographs or in getting a photograph
8. Do not accept gifts or other favors from those involved in a photo
9. Do not purposely interfere with the work of other journalists
Also, we need to focus on the ethics violations. Everyone has right to keep their secret. How could someone just hide himself and wait to catch the photo about other people’s front wheel of bicycle fall into a puddle, and then his body fall on the ground? However, how about people accidentally catch that second and want others to think?
Although we have lots of photo editing software now, the photojournalism ethics are still important for photojournalists.
Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos different than the ethics of writing a news story?
According to the Society of Professional Journalists their Code of Ethics includes 4 areas:
Seek Truth and Report It - Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
- Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
This is similar to point number 1 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
- Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
This is similar to point number 2 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
- Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
- Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
These are similar to point number 3 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
- Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
This is similar to point number 5 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
- Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
This is similar to point number 6 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
Minimize Harm - Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.
- Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
- Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
These are similar to point number 4 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
Act Independently - Journalists should be free of obligation to any other interest other than the public's right to know.
- Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.
- Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.
This is similar to point number 7 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
- Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
- Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
This is similar to point number 8 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
Be Accountable - Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.
- Never plagiarize.
- Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
- Never plagiarize.
- Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
This is similar to point number 9 of the NPPA Code of Ethics.
In summary, taking a journalistic photo and writing news requires the same set of ethics.
What's the impact of altering press photographs? Should they be edited (at all) in post production?
The impact of altering press photographs is that it distorts what the photographers or editors
want the viewers to see from what has actually happened. Altering press photographs not only includes digitally manipulating them after they are taken. It also includes photographing scenes that are staged by another individual to make it seem like something important has happened, photographing scenes that are staged by the photographer themselves and giving false titles or misleading captions that has nothing to do with the photos. By altering press photographs, this creates a false image to the minds of the viewers. They may not realize it at first, but there is a possibility that their mindsets will be affected in their daily lives. For example, a photo of a man from Afghanistan in front of an explosion. This can change a viewer's opinion about all Afghan men, subliminally making them think they are all terrorists. Also, altering photographs has been around for a while and digital manipulation only makes it easier. Political figures altered photographs for propaganda.
Before and after picture of Joseph Stalin with and without Nikolai Yezhov.
A citizen of Tyre who appears to be dead (as implied by the caption) but is only feigning death.
Pictures of a Hezbollah gunman who apparently caused an explosion. However, taking a closer look at the flames, it is only a pile of burning tires.
Photographs should be edited but only to the extent that they do not distort the actual meaning of the photograph. Minor edits should only be changing the contrast and brightness as such. The edits should improve the quality of the photograph, but not bend the context of the photograph.
Resources
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/teachable_moments/photo_truth.cfm
No comments:
Post a Comment