The Ethics of Photojournalism

Photojournalist base their work off the code of ethics, a representation of their work and proper handling of the product. Everyone and everything thing has a reason for existence, and the values they follow in order to be happy with who they are and what they are. If one of these principals is broken, it will no longer hold its value. Back in 2012, a code of ethics in photojournalism was questioned. Was photo-sharing something that would be tolerated, or accepted? What does it entitle? And why were other photographers being robbed of their photos?


Instagram photo of Hurricane Sandy used for Time Magazine
Image by: Ben Lowy
Image source: http://www.poynter.org/2012/photojournalism-in-2012-a-year-of-excellence-ethical-challenges-and-errors/198160/ 

Social media has become a global epidemic. Everyone has the accessibility to see any work that is posted on the forums, making it incredibly easy to simply take a “screen shot” or save to a mobile device. Instagram became very popular in early 2012. It was social media account that is based on photographs that people download onto their profile. This intrigued people of all ages to become their own selfie photographer or he next Time magazine photographer. However, photojournalist that were using this account to share their expertise work were being shared all over social media with everyone to see, and these photos can altered, exposed for the wrong people to see…anything. They were too public for the public. But was this a bad thing at all?

Jeff Sonderman writes about the ethical challenges in photojournalism and how this impacted some photojournalist. He states: “Some wondered if these apps were dumbing down photography and whether it's appropriate for journalists to use them”. Photojournalist were beginning to use these accounts to share beautiful and meaningful photographs, to share with the world the news that is flooding the news-stands but people were not taking it as serious as they thought. It was beginning to change the face of photojournalism and they were pleased with the outcome. Unfortunately, social media will simply continue to grow and take over as the main source of information and news. Technology is helping enhance everything around us, even the way we express our work and talents.

Photo captured on Instagram of a dead man
Image by: unknown
Image source: http://www.poynter.org/2012/photojournalism-in-2012-a-year-of-excellence-ethical-challenges-and-errors/198160/

As a young woman, raised by a family of women, I learned what the true meaning of value is, something that weighs heavy in my personal ethics. Value to me translates as understanding the worth of what I own, and the privilege of what I have. I feel like photojournalists think the same way. When they take an award winning photo, they do not want anyone taking that away from them. That is their prized possession and they will treat it with respect. They are proud of their hard work. I carry the same attitude with me. I am proud of who I am, and all the things I have accomplished. I would want no one to take that away from me. The same goes for photojournalist. When they post their greatly admired work on these public sites, it begins to lose value. This is what triggered an ethical dilemma to arise. Photojournalist need to fight to continue their work being meaningful and views as stories of history in the making.

Ethics Map
Image by: Alejandra Ocasio