Where Do We Draw the “Red” Line?

To print or not to print, seems a question best answered by one’s own judgment.  Gary Knight listed a few examples in which he would not print photos based on the gravity of the situation.   Such as, photos of a deceased solider or civilian whose family was not mad aware or had given permission to release the photo.  (Owen & Purdey, 2009, p. 82)  When I consider what I would print or not print, I believe there is a “red” line on the photos I would print.  Photos that appear to gruesome for the public or photos of a deceased may be withheld.

Still, there are some photos such as “The Falling Man” or the young Vietnamese girl, whose impacts can change how the world views the actions of others.  Even “The Kiss” allowed generations to feel the relief of World War II coming to an end.  Although there are some photos that can be extremely horrific to publish, the images still remains and the details remain in the journalists mind to be released.  The idea that a photo is worth a thousand words can allow for the public to understand the truth behind a situation.  To be able to provide a photo for the people’s benefit versus my own appeals to the reason I choose this profession.  Providing stories or photos to the public based on the truth. 

            Whether there is no red line or no self-censorship, will be based on one’s own judgment and if they are employed through a news organization.  Over the years there has been phots in which they were not allowed to be printed because of editorial choices or censorship through the government.  For example, during the Gulf War Kenneth Jarecke photographed an Iraqi man burned alive; the photo was never published by US media.  Jarecke thought the photo would change the way many Americans saw the war.  The image and subject may have represented the Gulf War, but “not every gruesome photo reveals the truth about conflict and combat.” (DeGhett, 2014)

Reference

DeGhett, T. (2014, August 8). The War Photo No One Would Publish. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/08/the-war-photo-no-one-would-publish/375762/

Owen, J. & Purdey, H. (Eds.). (2009). International news reporting: Frontlines and deadlines. Malden, MA: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.