Photojournalism & Ethical Publishing

A photo speaks a thousand words. Photographs play an very important role in journalism in conveying the message to the readers. According to Walsh (2006), however, individuals may interpret the photo/image differently based on their cultural background and experiences. Thus, it is a very critical issue regarding ethics in photojournalism in term of 'photographic truth' that whether the particular photo/image presents the subject accurately or misleads the readers (Bersak, 2006). Based on the code of ethics in the Society of Professional journalist in 1987, the medias have the responsibility to publish the news and enlighten opinion that serve the general welfare to the publics. 'Journalists who use their professional status as representatives of the public for selfish or other unworthy motives violate a high trust.'

The news 'Egyptian newspaper under fire over altered photo' reported by BBC on 15th December 2010 brings an issue of ethics in photojournalism. The alteration of the photo has made the Egypt's state-run newspaper come under fire. According to The Nation Press Photographers Association, the photographs that are callously intrusive or are manipulated can cause a serious harm, thus, photographs that have been edited should maintain the integrity of the images' content and context to avoid misleading or misrepresenting (2011).

The original photo that was taken on 1st of September from White House shows that President Barack Obama leading the international politicians.  (Source: BBC, 2011)

The altered photo with President Mubarak leading (Source: BBC, 2011)

This case that happened in Egypt was not the first case, there was a case reported on BBC  stated 'Reuters drops Beirut photographer' on 8th August, 2006. The news reported the Reuters fired a freelance photographer who has withdrawn from sale 920 of his pictures because of doctoring two images that was taken in Lebanon.

A doctored images of an Israeli air striking by Adnan Hajj. (Source: BBC, 2006)

In my opinion, photographs in journalism must present accurately and trustworthy to the readers. Before publishing, the editors must take into consideration whether the photograph can bring negative effects to the readers e.g. offending the readers, invasion of privacy etc. On the other hand, the issue that whether the photographs bring any benefit to the readers must also be considered.

reference list
Bersak D. R, 2006, Ethics in Photojournalism: Past, Present, and Future, p. 2-71, 
http://web.mit.edu/drb/Public/PhotoThesis/


Walsh, M. 2006, “‘Textual shift’: Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts,” Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, p.24-37