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| The altered image |
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| The Original Image taken from the White House |
An Egyptian state- run newspaper faced trouble for altering a photograph to show that President Hosni Mubarak was leading the Middle East peace talks. The publication, al-Ahram had published the picture whereby Mr. Mubarak walking on a red carpet ahead of US President Barack Obama along with the Israeli, Palastinian and Jordian leaders. Originally the image is taken at the White House during the formal launch of the talk which shows Mr. Obama leading the way whereas Mr. Mubarak walking behind.
To give a peace of mind, US Secretary Hillary Clinton and US peace envoy George Mitchell travelled to the Egyptian Red Sea resort, which were hosted by President Mubarak. The opposition 6 April Youth Movement has accused al-Ahram which happens to be Egypt’s biggest newspaper in terms of circulation for being “unprofessional” for publishing the doctored image without an explanation for doing so. After that, Al-Ahram had the image replaced on its website with an image that shows all the assembled leaders seated on chairs in Red Sea resort.
To give a peace of mind, US Secretary Hillary Clinton and US peace envoy George Mitchell travelled to the Egyptian Red Sea resort, which were hosted by President Mubarak. The opposition 6 April Youth Movement has accused al-Ahram which happens to be Egypt’s biggest newspaper in terms of circulation for being “unprofessional” for publishing the doctored image without an explanation for doing so. After that, Al-Ahram had the image replaced on its website with an image that shows all the assembled leaders seated on chairs in Red Sea resort.
In my opinion, it is unethical for the publication to change the original image to another image as it provides false information to the readers. As what been stated in National Press Photographers Association Code of Ethics (cited in Bersak, 2003) “editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images ... in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.” Visual do play a vital role in explaining a particular meaning about something to readers. It has the power to influence readers either in a positive or negative manner. “Photographic and video images can reveal great truths, expose wrongdoing and neglect, inspire hope and understanding and connect people around the globe through the language of visual understanding. Photographs can also cause great harm if they are callously intrusive or are manipulated” (National Press Photographers Association, 2011)
By altering the image, the publication is hiding the truth indirectly from the readers which leads them to think that Mr. Mubarak who lead the team during the launch. Nickerson (1968, cited by Schriver 1997, p.407) has stated pictures can arouse the reader’s interest and curiosity and are often well remembered even long after people see them. Thus in Egypt, the people will always has the impression that it was Mr. Mubarak who was leading the team even after some time.
Being newspaper publication, it is the responsibility of the organization to serve the public the truth, nothing but the truth. The publication should be fair instead of being bias to one party. In conclusion I feel, when a publication alters an image, indirectly it alters the truth which will eventually misleads the readers.
Reference:
- Schriver, K.A. 1997, Chapter 6: The interplay of words and pictures, Dynamics in document design: creating text for readers, Wiley Computer Pub, New York, pp 361-441
- Bersak, D., R., 2003, Ethics in Photojournalism: Past, Present & Future, viewed 10 June 2011, <http://web.mit.edu/drb/Public/PhotoThesis/>
- National Press Photographers Association 2011, viewed 10 June 2011 < http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/ethics.html>
- Stovall, J. 2009, Photojournalism Ethics, viewed 10 June 2011, < http://www.jprof.com/photojn/photojn-ethics.html>
Maheswari Ganga Gangaya
110070877
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