Abstract:
In this paper, I will discuss the ethical problems related to employing photo
manipulation in photojournalism Using data from news media. Like all
professional fields, photojournalism has its own standard of ethics. Every publication has
to follow a set of rules (Bersak, 2006). Photojournalism is different from any other area of
photography. Photojournalists contribute photos to the news media so the photos should
be impartial and honest. Otherwise, photographs may lead to massive problems. The
digital composite of a British soldier in Basra photographed by Brian Walski is a very
clear example of how the manipulation of photographs and footage in documentries can
lead to problems (Flybring, 2009). In this paper, I argue that photographs and footage in
documentaries should never be manipulated. Photojournalists are reporting what they
can see. The use of modification tools like cropping, scar reduction and color reversal
can change the abate and follow of an article or graphic design. Over-manipulation or
distortions have to be legally prohibited in photojournalism because; viewers have a
right to know the truth. In the early stage of photography, the photograph meant
being able to capture the world as we see it through speed In 1860, president Abraham
Lincoln’s Head was grafted onto John Calhoun’s portrait This was the first example of
photo Manipulation. In the digital era, photo manipulation is treated as creative art.
However, in photojournalism it can have a negative impact on society.
