In presenting the news in an ethical manner, empirical evidence becomes a vital element. The profession of photojournalism is an integral part of the field of journalism, which responds to this demand for empirical evidence through its very nature. It is not only responsible for bringing important moral issues to light but, in a time where secrecy and covert deeds have taken precedence over openness, it provides a level of perspective regarding the events that occur throughout the world. In assessing the perspectives of professionals in the field as well as various other thinkers and experts it becomes evident that, although journalists may be willing to risk their lives in order to obtain the truth of what has happened, the reality of the situation can be best presented to the public through a simple image of the event. The power of a photograph to present the viewer with the inescapable reality surrounding a situation or event is essential in the modern world, which is increasingly both violent and hostile towards those that wish to give information to the public.
Photojournalism is essentially a response to the question of truth and exists in order to fill the gap of empirical evidence that is more than often left out by other forms of journalism. There are a variety of groups and organizations that wish for their actions to remain hidden from the world. This includes not only authoritarian leaders, but also business leaders and politicians. Furthermore, the wars taking place in regions such as Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan require a more broad public perspective, as the information given by those in charge of these campaigns will likely be biased in one way or another. It is necessary to understand on a deeper level who instigates the wars in these countries and the impact that this has on the citizens. While news sources such as the radio and television may be able to highlight what is going on in conflict zones, they are not able to effectively elicit international emotions. This can be attributed to the fact that taking part in these incidents can be highly risky to a journalist. Furthermore, radio coverage does not have the visual backing necessary to express the full impact of the events. Photojournalism, however, has been able to capture some of the most violent scenes that have occurred throughout history. Furthermore, the ability to publish them in newspapers and on the internet has raised the capacity for international condemnation of the injustice that results from war or oppression.
In looking at the the role of photojournalism in curbing violent conflicts around the world there are a variety of sources that are able to provide perspective into the underlying characteristics that the pursuit has that set it apart from other media sources. In order to investigate the role of photojournalism in a violent environment or situation it is necessary to establish insight into the views that professionals have achieved throughout their careers. This presents evidence of the fact that the role of photojournalism, while powerful, has generally gone unrecognized in the modern world.
Fred Ritchin in his essay “Bending the Frame: Documentary, Photojournalism, and The Citizen” challenges the limited view of photojournalism as simply an artistic pursuit. The article is primarily concerned with the role of photojournalism and how it can be used in “bending the frame” or challenging the underlying views and values that are inherent in society. Although the article is concerned with the aspect of documentary making and citizen involvement in the delivery of news, its focus on photojournalism plays a critical role in ensuring that the research is informed on the role of journalism in different scenarios. The author also provides the rationale behind photojournalists being considered some of the most effective journalists when it comes to capturing controversial and provocative situations including the coverage of armed conflicts. He argues that, rather than attempting to establish objective or universal principles that can be applied to photojournalism, it is necessary to address “the very subjectivity of non-professionals, their transparent self-involvement and lack of financial incentive, can be reassuring—many viewers may empathize with the motivations of these ordinary citizens, which are possibly similar to their own.” This is an essential aspect of the power of photojournalism. The ability for almost anybody to have access to the medium allows for a much wider perspective on the world, as more people become involved. Ritchin indicated that he had a two-fold belief regarding the role and responsibilities of journalists. “My belief is that my responsibilities within journalism are two. My first responsibility is to my subjects. My second responsibility is to my readers.” This seems to indicate a profoundly different perspective than those taken by other types of journalists. Rather than being primarily concerned with those that the information is for, importance is rather given to those that are the subjects of the article. “The collapsing boundaries between author and reader—a collaborative coauthoring that literary deconstructionists have been theorizing for decades—opens up the expectation that the greater media world now may function in more of a conversational rather than simply a hierarchical, mostly top-down system.”
Julianne Newton in her article “The Burden of Visual Truths: The Role of Photojournalism in the Mediation of Reality” further corroborates the power of photography in enhancing the perspectives of its viewers. Her book highlights the role of photojournalism in a world where visual images are more reliable for delivering the truth than the spoken word. The author contends that visual photography “remains the only form of mass, multimedia practice that strives to communicate via accurate and fair imagery.” The book also highlights some of the positive effects of photojournalism and at the same time showing some negative impacts of it too. The book is relevant because it offers some insights on how photojournalism has been used to demonstrate some of the serious atrocities committed in conflict areas especially during the Arab Spring and some conflicts in Africa, as well as the approach used in exposing the conflicts. Photojournalism allows the reporter to “communicate what cannot be articulated verbally and to draw reader or viewer attention to news.” This is important in stories that occur in locations that are not generally in the reader or viewer's experiences, such as conflicts occurring on the other side of the world. She argues that the various components of photojournalist practice has a profound effect on the perceptions of its viewers. These aspects of journalism affect what “ultimately becomes thought of or known as truth.” For Newton, the role of photojournalists is to engage in a professional approach, despite the fact that some may be involved in a conflict or be put in danger. This provides guidelines for any photojournalist who might approach a conflict zone or any other issue. It helps to ensure that they remain impartial and unbiased.
In looking at the effect that photojournalism has had in informing the world of the brutality experienced in conflict areas, experts indicate that they are able to bring ethical and provide a much more accessible medium for understanding the realities that are being depicted by the news. In order to understand this on a deeper level, it is necessary to study the effects of photojournalism in such environments or situations.
In the article “Photojournalism: An Ethical Approach” author Paul Martin Lester demonstrates the need for ethical considerations in the depictions that photojournalists decide to portray. His book is important because it helps to provide insight regarding the ethical considerations that photojournalists must look into when working in conflict zones regardless of the nature of the story. By focusing on how the journalists may knowingly or unknowingly break the ethical code of journalism, the article serves to inform on the approach taken in relation to the ethical guidelines that should be taken. Ethical issues are presented to people in the modern world through a variety of different formats. These “vary from newspaper articles to public forums broadcast on public television stations.” The photo must aptly capture important role of photojournalists in ensuring that the world is visually informed of the atrocities being committed against non-combatants and civilians. “Past experiences, present concerns, and emotions are some of the factors that shape your response to a photograph.” This can help by informing the world of the atrocities and human rights abuses that victims of war are subjected to. He argues that in the modern world photojournalists are held to the same standards as word journalists, and so “must have a strong sense of journalistic values.”
Jennifer E. Moore in "Bearing Witness: Picturing National Identity and International Conflict" helps to provide further evidence of the capacity of photojournalism to accurately reflect the destruction and injustice of war. The article shows a primary concern with how photojournalism can be used by members of the society to identify themselves especially during times of armed conflict or other forms of conflict. “In our visually saturated age, the news and documentary photographs we see undoubtedly influence how we understand international conflict and war.” The article highlights how members of a community can engage in photojournalism and proceed to use the pictures via various formats to inform the world of their unity and their willingness in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict that is affecting their region or country. “Unlike the written word, the photographic image is more quickly accessible since images require less from us cognitively than do words.” There is less of a need for interpretation of creative visualization in a photograph, in contrast to a news article, leaving the viewer the ability to make judgments regarding the reality of the situation instead of needing to use their imaginations in order to attempt to better understand the information or ideas being portrayed. She argues that “photography has been critical in our understanding of conflict abroad” and helps to present a “”way of seeing” war and conflict.” By providing entirely new perspectives, photojournalists are able to effectively enhance the capacity of the public to accurately receive information.
In looking at how different is the current photojournalism approach from the ones of the past it is evident that this newer form of media has an advantage because it is directly connected to “curbing” and “informing” the information that is being transmitted. In order to investigate different approaches in photojournalism arising from technological advancements, experts help to establish a better understanding of the relationship between photojournalism and technology.
Jelle Mast, Jelle and Samuel Hanegreefs in their essay "When the News Media Turn to the Citizen Generated Images of War: the Transparency and Graphicness in the Visual Coverage of Syrian Conflict." present the impact that advances in technology have had on the dispersal of information to a greater number of people. In this article, Jelle and Hanegreefs review how citizen generated photos of the Syrian conflict have had an impact on the internet as well as the international community due to the wide circulation through social media. The authors argue that “citizen-generated images prove to be an invaluable source for traditional news media exceeding the urgency of the initial period.” This is true whether it is freelance journalism, journalism by citizens, or journalists working for organized media houses. This helps to highlight the role that photojournalism has played in the context of conflict in the modern world. This results in the conclusion that “professional and citizen imagery fulfill a complementary role in representing different visual framings of (the Syrian) war.”
In comparing photojournalism to mainstream media organizations, the primary differences can be attributed to the portrayal of negative sides of those involved in a war, while the photojournalist is focused on moving the emotions of the world to enhance their contribution towards the welfare of those affected and move world leaders to negotiate a quick resolution. Photojournalists are therefore essential in challenging the violence and conflict that occur within the modern world.
Bibliography
Lester, Paul Martin. Photojournalism: An Ethical Approach. Routledge, 2015.
Mast, Jelle, and Samuel Hanegreefs. "When the News Media Turn To the Citizen-Generated Images of War: the Transparency and the Graphicness in visual Coverage of Syrian Conflict." Digital Journalism 3, no. 4 (2015): 594-614.
Moore, Jennifer E. "Bearing Witness: Picturing National Identity and International Conflict." Journal of Media Ethics 30, no. 3 (2015): 228-229.
Newton, Julianne. The Burdens of Visual Truth: Roles of Photojournalism in the Mediation of Reality. Routledge, 2013.
Ritchin, Fred. Bending the Frames: Documentary, Photojournalism, and the Citizen. 2013.
