Sunday, February 28, 2010

Photojournalism Code of Ethics



Visual journalists and those who manage visual news productions are accountable for upholding the following standards in their daily work:

   1. Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.
   2. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.
   3. Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one's own biases in the work.
   4. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.
   5. While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.
   6. Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.
   7. Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation.
   8. Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage.
   9. Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

This ethical code was taken from the www.nppa.org website, which I am a proud member of.  To me photojournalism ethics is the most important aspect in news journalism...not only when making images, but also in writing. 

In the future posts, I want to start talking about ethics in journalism, manipulating images and digital ethics.

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