Ethics of Photo and Video Journalism by Umar Mustafa

1. MEDIA ETHICS LAWS POLICIES &
STRATEGIES
 NAME : UMER MUSTAFA
 REG# 394-FSS.MSMC/F1
 BATCH# F18 MS - Media & Communication Studies
 Faculty of Social Sciences
 UNIVERSITY: International Islamic University
Islamabad
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2. PRESENTATION TOPIC
ETHICS OF PHOTO &
VIDEO JOURNALISIM

3. What is Ethics?
 Ethics is defined as a moral philosophy or code of morals
practiced by a person or group of people.
 Ethics, also called moral philosophy
 It says:
 The discipline concerned with what is morally good and bad
and morally right and wrong.
 how people make decisions and lead their lives.
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4. HISTORY OF WORD “ETHICS”
 The English word "ethics“
 It is derived from the Ancient Greek word ēthikós
 which itself comes from the root word êthos
 Whose meaning is "relating to one's character“
 "character & moral nature“
 This word was transferred into Latin as ethica
 and then into French as éthique,
 from which it was transferred into English.
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5. Five Core Principles of Journalism
 1. Truth and Accuracy
 2. Independence
 3. Fairness and Impartiality
 4. Humanity
 5. Accountability
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6. Five Core Principles of Journalism
 1. Truth and Accuracy
 Journalists cannot always guarantee ‘truth’, but getting the facts
right is the cardinal principle of journalism. We should always strive
for accuracy,
 2. Independence
 journalists must be independent voices; we should not act, formally
or informally, on behalf of special interests whether political,
corporate or cultural
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7.  3. Fairness and Impartiality
 Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in
every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. but impartial reporting builds
trust and confidence.
 4. Humanity
 Journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we
should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others.
 5. Accountability
 A sure sign of professionalism and responsible journalism is the ability to
hold ourselves accountable. When we commit errors we must correct
them and our expressions of regret must be sincere not cynical.
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8. Photojournalism as a profession
 Cliff Edom (1976), one of the most well respected
photojournalism educators in the United States, credited Frank
Mott, dean of the Journalism School at the University of Missouri,
 With inventing the term, photojournalism. In 1942, Mott helped
establish a separate academic sequence for photojournalism
instruction. For the first time, photojournalism was considered "as
important to the field of communication" as its word equivalent.
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9.  In today’s world, 2.3 million photographs are taken every
minute.
 The author’s says that the image itself is a powerful medium in
which people openly and naively believe
 As said :‘A picture is worth a thousand words’
 Photographs, visual text that speaks more powerfully than
written text
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10. Visual Ethics
 Photographic and video images can reveal great
truths, expose wrongdoing and neglect,
 Inspire hope and understanding and connect people
around the globe through the language of visual
understanding.
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11. VISUAL ETHICS POLICY STATES
 Photographs and graphics must inform, not mislead. Any attempt to
confuse readers or misrepresent visual information is prohibited
 In photographing news, we do not stage or reenact events.
 Photographers may direct subjects of portraits, fashion shoots or
studio work.
 In presenting such images, we must avoid creating the impression
that they were captured spontaneously.
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12.  Wedo not add color, create photomontages, remove objects or
flop images.
 We do not digitally alter images beyond making minor
adjustments for color correction,
 Exposure correction and removal of dust spots or scratches
required to ensure faithful
reproduction of the original image.
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13.  Exaggerated use of burning, dodging or color saturation is not
permitted.
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14.  On occasion, we publish artistic or graphic
renderings that include altered
photographs.
 Such renderings should be clearly labeled
photo illustration.
 Before creating a photo illustration,
photographers, photo editors and designers
must obtain approval from a Senior Editor
for photography.
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15. RULES FOR DOCUMENTARY PHOTOS
 Posing or re-enacting a documentary photograph is unacceptable.
 Altering a documentary photo is also unacceptable. This includes
eliminating or adding material to the photo.
 Do not ask someone to repeat an action for a documentary photo.
 Do not cut out a "live" news photo.
 Cutouts can make a news photo look like a feature photo. Let the
reader have full information.
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16.  A photographer, photo editor or
designer should not eliminate a
telephone line or wires from a
photo to "clean up" the scene.
 Clouds, sky,grass or other
elements should not be added to
make room for type or make the
photo fit a hole.
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