The Merger of Photojournalism and Ethics

Article #5 Review
We begin with a brief historic background of photojournalism and learn that photography has been around for 150 years. Life magazine, highly involved in the rise of photojournalism, recently devoted its cover and 30 pages to an anniversary tribute. We follow the trail of photojournalism and its emergence as a respected profession.

It has been proven that since the early day of photography, manipulation has taken place. Furthermore, it has been revealed that many noted photographers altered images that were considered accurate and truthful depictions of  particular events.

The article delves into the ethics behind the decisions made by a photographer, and notes that intentionally altering images in a news story to distort the message should be grounds for dismissal. Unfortunately, other issues of ethics may not be that obvious, and photographers face daily choices in the process of covering the news.

There are times when the camera is considered invasive, as well as occasions when the decision to shoot a truthful image may be controversial—based on the audience’s perspectives. Clearly, as journalists, our responsibility is to report the news fairly and honestly. When we allow public opinion and bias to affect of choices too greatly our ethical duty to provide accurate information may be compromised, and we may lessen our ability to maintain a free and vibrant press.

On NPR this morning, there was a great interview with Harold Evans, famed British editor of the Sunday Times. He tells the story of the thalidomide controversy that his paper covered in 1967. He elected to show photos of babies with missing limbs and other severe birth defects. The public was abhorred and the paper was involved in lawsuits for years, regarding the paper's right to publish the photos. The case ultimately went to the European Court of Human Rights and the case forced the British government to reform its law that blocked free speech in cases of "manifest injustice."  Evans fought for the truth to the very end. 

In terms of ethics in journalism Evans commented, "I think a certain commitment to the public good has vanished in the race for circulation. I think that is accentuated when you get newspapers taken over, as you have across America, by people who either borrow extensively to buy the paper, or never had any interest in what real journalism is about in the first place.”