Photojournalism

(Source: after5detroit, 2011)

Most of us will always carry a camera beside us to capture photographs of meaningful and important moment, especially when there's a big occasion. Those photographs that are captured can be described as photojournalism. Camden & Duarte (2006, p. 109) defined photojournalism as a 'method of visual reporting, a way to capture reality and effectively communicate a specific event or moment'.  

However, there are some of you that are not aware that even photojournalism has its own ethical and principles. Many photographers and editors learnt in early photograph's history that the economic and political gains can be made by photographic manipulations because of a naive and trusting public (Lester 1999). BBC News (2010) reported a photographic manipulation that involves an edited image by Egyptian state-run newspaper, al-Ahram, which was taken at the White House. According to the BBC news article, the newspaper has been accused of being “unprofessional”. Other than that, it was also said that the paper had “crossed the line from being balanced and honest” (BBC News 2010). 

The image below is the original picture that was captured,
showing Mr. Obama leading the way and Mr. Mubarak following behind.

 (SourceL BBC News, 2011)

The image below is the altered image by al-Ahram,
showing Mr.Mubarak leading the way instead. 

(Source: BBC News, 2011)

Lester (1999) mentioned in his work that a viewer always has the belief that the “camera never lies”, this comes directly from the impression of the visual image. Therefore, alteration of images like what al-Ahram did was very unethical and it is against the principles of photojournalism. The author also further explained that a photojournalist who believes in high ethical standards will not think of own benefits and manipulate a subject even slightly.

In this technology advanced world today, many photo editing programmes have been created, for instance the most well-known programme, Adobe Photoshop. Many designers are using that programme to improve their work. However, Lester (1999) justified that if a photograph is altered, or if a subject is stage managed by the photographer, the publication has a responsibility to inform readers or state the manipulation. Al-Amrah did not inform or state any information regarding the manipulation and left readers believing a lie. 

References:

1. BBC News 2010, Egyptian newspaper under fire over altered photo, viewed  10 June 2011, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11313738>
2. Camden, LL, Duarte, SG 2006, Mennonities in Texas: the quiet in the land, Texas A&M University Press, Texas, viewed 10 June 2011, <http://books.google.com.my/books?id=Zj90gk_eQPsC&dq=photojournalism+definition&source=gbs_navlinks_s> 
3. Lester, PM 1999, 'Chapter eight juggling journalism and humanism', in Photojournalism An Ethical Approach, viewed 10 June 2011, <http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/writings/chapter8.html>
4. Lester, PM 1999, 'Chapter six picture manipulations', in Photojournalism An Ethical Approach, viewed 10 June 2011, <http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/writings/chapter6.html>