Ethical Considerations Scenarios
Ethical Considerations Scenarios:
Read the following scenarios and answer the following questions as both a photographer and photo editor. Post the answers in the blog section.
1.
Photographer: You are working with a reporter on a story about a coach who holds some national records for weightlifting. You still need a shot of him working out, so you arrange to meet him at the gym and take pictures of him lifting weights just as he normally does. Make an argument for running your photo.
Photo editor: Do you run this set-up photo? Why or why not?
I would still run the photo because he agreed to go on and do his normal work out. Nothing was going to be out of the ordinary and there was nothing said about having him pose a certain way.
2.
Photographer: A baby left in a locked car died from the heat. You heard about it on a police scanner and were able to get a picture of the policeman taking the baby out of the car.
Photo editor: Do you run this as a warning to other parents? Why or why not?
i wouldnt run this photo out of respect for the family.
3.
Photographer: A fire escape collapses during a fire, plunging a woman to her death. A child who also falls miraculously survived. You get a picture of them in mid-air, just as the fire escape gives way. The photo is a potential Pulitzer Prize winner.
Photo editor: Do you run this photo of a woman falling to her death? Why or why not?
i would run the photo because it doesnt show the dead woman.
4.
Photographer: A woman takes off her clothes in protest of being denied entrance to a building. You get a picture of her protest.
Photo editor: Do you run this photo of a nude woman? Why or why not?
Personally i would run this photo because if she didnt want herself to be exposed then she wouldnt have taken off her clothes. Its a newsworthy thing.i would run it because it would be giving her protest a voice. But it would probably be against the rules.
5.
Photographer: During a news conference, an important political figure makes an obscene gesture at some hecklers in the crowd. You take the picture and turn it into your editor.
Photo editor: This is definitely newsworthy but potentially offensive. Do you run it? Why or why not?
I wouldnt run this because the political person could possibly sue me for ruining his reputation.
6.
Photographer: A man notifies the press that a newsworthy event will be taking place at a certain time and location. He makes a statement protesting a government action, then douses himself with gasoline and lights a match. You get some dramatic pictures of the event, potential prize winners.
Photo editor: Should you run the picture because it’s newsworthy or deny the protester the publicity he was seeking? Explain your decision.
i would run this picture because i would be giving his protest some attention and a voice.
7.
Photographer: You photograph a family grieving over their son who drowned in a local canal. You capture them at the moment the authorities unzip the body bag for them to make identification of him.
Photo editor: Do you run this to urge other families to be cautious or respect the privacy of their grief?
I wouldnt run this photo out of respect of their privacy for their grief.
8.
Photographer: You photograph two students exchanging money and a bag of something. You realize this would be a great photo to go with a story your staff is doing on drugs on campus.
Photo editor: Do you run this? Why or why not?
i wouldnt run this photo because id be making an assumption that could possibly not be true. and i could also get sued by the students/students parents.