DB week 9: Photojournalism

What's the role of photojournalism?

The primary role of a photojournalist is to report the significant events and varied viewpoints of the world in a visual way. They have the responsibility of documenting society and its news and events and to preserve them through images.  Their pictures accompany current and real news and events. Photos help to connect the reader to the story it represents, or allows them to get a quick idea on what’s going on in the world if they don’t have any time to read the story.

Are there rules that photojournalists should follow? Why? Why not?

Yes, there are rules that photojournalists should follow. Most people need to be fully informed about public events, and photojournalists operate as trustees of the public. Photographs can reveal truth, expose wrongdoing, inspire hope and connect people all over the world. They can also cause alot of harm if they’re manipulated. The NPPA (National Press Photographers Association) has a code of ethics for photojournalists that intend to promote high quality forms of visual journalism and to make sure the public has confidence in the visuals. It is also meant to educate those who practice and appreciate photojournalism. Generally, photojournalists may partially manipulate their pictures, but only to improve the quality of the picture and they may not stage the picture, change what the picture portrays or delete objects and people.

The NPPA code of ethics is as follows:
1.Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.
2.Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.
3.Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one's own biases in the work.
4.Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.
5.While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.
6.Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.
7.Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation.
8.Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage.
9.Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

Ideally, visual journalists should:
1.Strive to ensure that the public's business is conducted in public. Defend the rights of access for all journalists.
2.Think proactively, as a student of psychology, sociology, politics and art to develop a unique vision and presentation. Work with a voracious appetite for current events and contemporary visual media.
3.Strive for total and unrestricted access to subjects, recommend alternatives to shallow or rushed opportunities, seek a diversity of viewpoints, and work to show unpopular or unnoticed points of view.
4.Avoid political, civic and business involvements or other employment that compromise or give the appearance of compromising one's own journalistic independence.
5.Strive to be unobtrusive and humble in dealing with subjects.
6.Respect the integrity of the photographic moment.
7.Strive by example and influence to maintain the spirit and high standards expressed in this code. When confronted with situations in which the proper action is not clear, seek the counsel of those who exhibit the highest standards of the profession. Visual journalists should continuously study their craft and the ethics that guide it.

Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos different than the ethics of writing a news story?

The ethics of taking journalistic photos is very similar to the ethics of writing a news story. Both of these medias are used to report factual events that are going on or have occurred around the globe. We rely on both news stories and visuals to keep updated on current events.

What's the impact of altering press photographs? Should they be edited (at all) in postproduction?

A lot of harm and damage can be caused if press photographs are altered. If pictures are altered, the context may be completely changed and people will be misled. They could be misled in a bad direction and become outraged at what’s “going on” when what’s actually going on is completely different then what the photo describes. Also, if a certain photo journalist is found out to have altered one or more of his photos, the whole company may lose the public’s trust and end up out of business. I don’t believe press photos should be edited at all, as they are supposed to show the real, whole truth of what is going on in the world. I think they could be lightened or changed for quality purposes, but that’s it, no removing things, no adding things and no changing things.