Topic3: Alterations in journalistic photography

Photojournalism is developing and now it comes into the digital age. Though several technical methods, we can easily edit a photograph, adding or deleting objectives, even change the image. However, that should only be presents in personal interest or something like advertisements. The impacts of photo alterations on journalistic photography can be either positive or negative, but the alteration changes the accuracy and honesty. Have a look at the photograph in the New York Times. The photo shows soldiers in Iraq grazing at a member of a dance group. Looking carefully, we can find a microphone cord that appeared to disappear in air in the middle. Jim Wilson, who shot this photo, responded that nothing was "removed from the image nor was anything enhanced." The part of the cord is blurred because of his way of shooting photos and the dancer’s moving. In an e-mail interview about the Iraq photo, Jim Wilson said that he could not believe that so many people believed there was some sort of conspiracy involved.⁽¹⁾ Although there may be no alteration on that picture, people still doubt because the strange and inconsistency. Any alterations of objectives on journalistic photography will lead to the public’s guessing and even distrust. Additionally, photo alterations on journalistic photography may change the truth of the news story if changes are made to some main points. Thus, the reputation of a news publishing is effected.

In my opinion, it is not ethical or acceptable to alter press photographs. Alterations will cause any possible negatives, such as things said before, the fact of the press. The not-so-good news is brought to us by CBS's Watch! magazine -- the miracle Katie Couric digital diet that reduced her neck and waistline digitally to make her look about 20 pounds lighter. ⁽¹⁾ Gil Schwartz said that "this is not something that is going to happen again." As it is press photography but not art photography or advertisements, the authenticity is required. However, changing was sometimes necessary like playing mosaic on sensitive news. Some examples may include adult crimes.
The rule of ethics about alterations on press photography is more and more accurate.
The Code of Ethics in SND presents that:
As members of the Society for News Design, we have an obligation to promote the highest ethical standards for visual journalism — for all journalism — as they apply to the values of accuracy, fairness, honesty, inclusiveness, and courage.⁽²⁾
The Times has very clear guidelines in place that prohibit image manipulation without clear cause and disclosure. One sentence said:
No people or objects may be added, rearranged, reversed, distorted or removed from a scene (except for the recognized practice of cropping to omit extraneous outer portions).⁽¹⁾

1. Photojournalism in the Age of Scrutiny , Kenneth Irby
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=110342

2.Code of Ethics
http://www.snd.org/about/code-of-ethics/

Photograph1:Jim Wilson/The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2006/08/27/world/27morale2.html

Photograph2&3: AP Photo/CBS, Jeffery R. Staab
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=110342