Photojournalism has been evolving at a speed unanticipated by the early pioneers of this communication medium. The rapid, digital gathering and lightning-speed dissemination of photo images has also put stresses on the ability to maintain high ethical standards espoused by the early pioneers.
Andreas Feininger, an award winning photojournalist, expresses his vision for photojournalism. “The classics of photography that are remembered – have purpose and meaning; are interesting and informative; and they are sincere, moving and deeply felt.” He cautions against “misrepresenting the truth, falsifying facts and therefore wrongly influencing people’s opinions – because damage can be done by irresponsible journalism.”
Photojournalism Ethics
Photojournalism, over the years, has developed ethical guidelines that light the way. In the competitive struggle to get the news images out, principles of precise, timely, factual, fairness with public accountability should not be compromised. Care must be taken with people’s lives and reputations, in the jump for the latest photo op. Photojournalism is accountable to a much larger audeince, then other types of photography.
Carolynne Burkholder, of the School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison, cautions that journalists (whether in newspaper, on TV or on the Internet) should be wary of three main issues:
- Manipulation of digital images
- Intrusion into privacy
- Graphic or shocking images
With that in mind, citizen journalists should become familiar with the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Here are a few of their guidelines.
- Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
- Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
- Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story.
Whether you are a paid professional photojournalist or less-monitored “citizen journalist,” consulting this guide of ethical conduct can only help to raise the level of one’s work.
Photo Manipulation
Kodi Barth a journalist, syndicated columnist and consultant on Communications for Development points out some examples of questionable journalist photo manipulation. (or twisting the truth as Barth describes it.) His examples are worth studying.
Unfortunately in these times of easy photo manipulation, there are also examples of how guidelines may have been broken – even by respected media organizations such as Time and Newsweek.
Photojournalism and citizen journalism have both been also able to contribute to exposing many social wrongs: oil spills, police violence, international famine or corruption.
References
- Online Journalism Ethics by Carolynne Burkholder.
- Successful Photography by Andreas Feininger
Bev Yaworski - Bev Yaworski is a published writer and photographer for magazines such as Green & Organic Lifestyles, various parenting publications such ...
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