The ethics of photojournalism Thinking about manipulation reality

The ethics of photojournalism Thinking about manipulation, reality, taste and standards

Brian Walski

Brian Walski • Isn’t everything we’re looking at real?

Brian Walski • Isn’t everything we’re looking at real? • What about the angle, or things that were edited out?

Brian Walski • Isn’t everything we’re looking at real? • What about the angle, or things that were edited out? • Is this any different from what print journalists do?

O. J. Simpson • In 1994, Time magazine published this photo on the cover

O. J. Simpson • In 1994, Time magazine published this photo on the cover • Except that it didn’t look like this photo

O. J. Simpson

O. J. Simpson • Are you outraged?

O. J. Simpson • Are you outraged? • Aren’t magazine covers manipulated all the time?

O. J. Simpson • Are you outraged? • Aren’t magazine covers manipulated all the time? • Isn’t it obvious that this cover illustration was manipulated?

NPPA Code of Ethics • “It is the individual responsibility of every photojournalist at all times to strive for pictures that report truthfully, honestly and objectively. ”

NPPA Code of Ethics • “It is the individual responsibility of every photojournalist at all times to strive for pictures that report truthfully, honestly and objectively. ” • “In documentary photojournalism, it is wrong to alter the content of a photograph in any way (electronically or in the darkroom) that deceives the public. ”

Victoria Snelgrove • Outrage at the Herald

Victoria Snelgrove • Outrage at the Herald • Might publication have accomplished some good?

NPPA Code of Ethics • “Our standards … shall have in them a note of sympathy for our common humanity and shall always require us to take into consideration our highest duties as members of society. ”