National Press Photojournalists: A Code of Ethics
National Press Photojournalists: A Code of Ethics
List at least seven things that the NPPA expects from photojournalists.
1.Photojournalists, have the responsibility to document society and to preserve its history through images
2. They Must resist to being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.
3. Must avoid stereotyping individuals/groups, and show casing any bias though their work.
4. Photojournalist must avoided intruding on private moments of grief only if it becomes a public interest.
5.Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.
6. Photojournalist must also not accept any gifts, favor or any form of a regard from those who might seek to influence coverage.
7. Photojournalist must not under any circumstances intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.
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?
– Yes i would run the photo it is not breaking any laws of ethic.
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 would run the photo but I don’t think its is right to take a photo of the infant child it would be wrong and the images could scare someone, but instead i would take a photo of the cops and ambulance as the handle the situation.
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 wouldn’t run the photo, theirs no legit purpose to publish it, the only way you can justify the photo is to say that it serves and important message but in this case it does not do that. Besides it would will be to traumatic for the family to see the photos.
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?
– I wouldn’t run the photo of the nude woman because, unless i can manage to get a good photo that manages to cover up so parts of her body, it would be uncontrollable for me to published it.
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 would publish the photo, its not like the political figure did not realize the actions he was taking, besides its important for the audience to see how their political figures handle themselves.
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.
– Deny the publicity he was seeking, it doesn’t serve any message to the audience.
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 would run the photo, not only does it serve a purpose, but it will also wont be to scaring for the audience, like if the were to see the corpse of a dead body. But i will verify with the family consent if they approve of me submitting in the photo.
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?
– No i would not run the photo, it could get me in trouble because it i can be serves as a violation of the laws of ethic.