Media Ethics: Issues and Cases - Blog Post 3

Case Study 8-D: Manipulating News Photos: Is it Ever Justified?

In my last blog post, I wrote about the manipulation of a photo of Hilary Clinton and other advisors to Barack Obama and why I thought that manipulating photos of historic events is problematic and unethical. This case study is about a photo published in 2003 by the Los Angeles Times depicting a scene during the war in Iraq. Brian Walski, a staff photographer, spent days in the desert “under harsh conditions with little sleep and food and under enormous pressure” (206). During his time there, he sent Colin Crawford, Los Angeles Times director of photography, 13 photos. One of these photos was chosen to run alongside a story the newspaper published. Later on, a Hartford Courant employee, noticed there was a duplication of Iraqi citizens in the background, and brought it to the attention of Thom McGuire, the Courant’s assistant managing editor of photography and graphics. The photo was proven to be altered, with Walski having spliced two images together to create a more compelling one. Walski was fired.

Left: the two original photos, Right: edited photo that was published and subsequently retracted

Image Source: unfiltered.sjmc.umn.edu

Micro Issue #2

Should Walski have been fired? Why or why not?

Yes, I believe he should have been fired. News media has an obligation to uphold the truth and part of that truth relies on visual aides to amplify the power of news stories. Many people still believe that photographs must be absolute truths, and “as long as readers hold the view that ‘seeing is believing,’ that view—whether based in reality or not—becomes a promise between the media and their audiences that photographers and videographers should be hesitant to break” (196). News photography is held to a different standard than photography as art because “while art may be manipulated, information may not” (195). Because of this manipulation, Walski failed to accurately represent the information he was presenting.

Midrange Issue #3

Should employees blow the whistle on colleagues when they think there has been an ethical breach? If not, why not? If so, how should the do it?

I believe that journalists and other staff at news organizations are responsible for reporting any instances they see of ethical breaches by their fellow colleagues. News media should ultimately be accountable or loyal to the public and to their profession. The public’s trust in news organizations is reliant on those news organizations being as truthful and unbiased as possible. Because we (the public) don’t see what goes on throughout the editing process, it is up to those that do to hold one another accountable.

Macro Issue #2

Eric Meyer, who commented about the issue on the Poynter Web site, said, “A photo is like a direct quote. You chose what to quote or what to photograph. But, when you run a direct quote or a photograph, you don’t alter it to ‘make it better.’” Evaluate this statement.

I think that what Eric Meyer is saying relates back to the concept I addressed in Micro Issue #2 in that information cannot be manipulated. In discussing the “selective editing” of photos and videos, our textbook presents an important thing to consider: “The issue is who does the selecting, and what predispositions they bring to the process” (195). In editing a video or photo, the editor effectively changes the information through omission or manipulation.

Conclusion

Truth should not be subjective. By editing photos and videos, a version of truth is being created rather than presenting the truth as it is in reality. It is unethical to manipulate news photography because it misrepresents information and impacts the viewer’s ability to comprehend and decipher the information that is being presented to them as fact.

Case Study 10-D: Schindler’s List: The Role of Memory

Pictured: Liam Neeson and Stephen Spielberg on set of Schindler's List

Image Source: graffitiwithpunctuation.net

Stephen Spielberg, in 1982, directed Schindler’s List, a film based on a novel by Thomas Keneally about Oskar Schindler, a man who was responsible for more than 1,000 Jews surviving the Holocaust in Poland. The film was an emotional and thought provoking representation of the tragedy of the Holocaust. At times, it was hard to watch due to the violence depicted.

Micro Issue #1

Should a film like Schindler’s List receive the same “R” rating as films such as Road Trip?

Micro Issue #3

Would you allow a child under 17 to see this film?

Image Source: mpaa.org

According to the Motion Picture Association of America’s website, an “R” rating: “Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.” Also, within the rating image is a space where the reasoning for the rating is explained (ie: sexual content, graphic violence, etc.). Because of the explanation, and the lack of further categorization on behalf of the MPAA, these two movies would both fall under the “R” rating. Children under 17 should see this film with further contextualization provided to them by their family, teacher, or other adult and/or mentor in their life. As Spielberg said in regard to the film: “Maybe it won’t be seen by millions of people who see my other movies, but it might be the kind of movie shown one day in high schools” (276).

Midrange Issue #2

Are docudramas that focus on social issues such as spouse abuse or child molestation the appropriate mechanism to engage the public in debate or discussion about such serious questions?

Rather than exploiting actual victims through the use of their photo, story, or name, docudramas can provide a medium through which audiences can connect, relate to, and further comprehend sensitive issues such as spouse abuse or child molestation. Regarding such works, our textbook asserts that they “remind readers and viewers of the moral power of art by putting us in touch with characters and situations sometimes more complex than our own lives. By thinking about these fictional characters, we enlarge our moral imaginations” (256).

Conclusion

Films like Schindler’s List create a space for viewers to relate to and comprehend important events. However, the blurring of art and entertainment can at times be problematic and the “possibility for abuse of an unsuspecting audience exists” (262). This is because such films invoke “the license allowed entertainment programming while retaining the authority of fact”. Some films do a better job of representing truth, such as Schindler’s List, while others omit or manipulate events and people to make them more entertaining, such as Danny De Vito’s Hoffa. Because of the fact that there are no rules or regulations setting a standard for films based on true stories, it is impossible for audiences to know where certain liberties have been taken by the producers and where reality diverges to fantasy for entertainment purposes.

Media Ethics: Issues and Cases - Blog Post 2

Case Study 4-B: What Would Socrates Have Done? The Disappearance of Hillary Clinton

Image Source: CBS News

Iconic photos represent specific, momentous events in a visual way that others can then view now and forever in history. This case study is specifically about the iconic photo taken of President Barack Obama and his cabinet watching live footage of Osama bin Laden’s compound. In the photo, on the table before them are important, high-security informational documents which were distorted prior to the release of the photo in order to keep the information private. When a Brooklyn-based Hasidic newspaper, Der Zeitung, released the photo in their newspaper that serves a “small segment of the ultra-orthodox Jewish community,” they photoshopped out Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Audrey Tomason, director for counterterrorism for the U.S. Security Council (94). Their reasoning was that their paper “serves a readership that places a high value on female modesty”. However, critics cited that the paper has a history of editing out women because “the publication itself has an ideological objection to women holding positions of power”.

Micro Issue #3

Would it have been appropriate for the paper to simply crop the picture on the right-hand side, thus cutting out the images of Clinton and several others and resulting in a photograph that focused more specifically on President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden?

No, I don’t think that in either circumstance the alteration of the photograph is justifiably appropriate. It misrepresents the moment but also the current state of affairs (ie: women in positions of power traditionally held by men). Because of their profession, journalists have two distinct responsibilities: telling the truth, and a “greater obligation to foster political involvement than the average person” (84). In either representation of the photograph, they are not fulfilling these two responsibilities; they are misrepresenting the truth by omission which hinders their readers from being fully politically involved.

Midrange Issue #2

The doctored photograph was brought to the attention of the wider public when it was reported—critically—in other newspapers. What is the role of these other newspapers with regard to Der Zeitung and readers, viewers, and listeners?

I believe that newspapers need to critically analyze one another in order to maintain fair, balanced, and accurate reporting. Creating a filter bubble of information is unfair to readers, viewers, and listeners, as it impacts their ability to participate civically. Journalists need to hold each other accountable in order to maintain their loyalty to their profession (telling the truth) and to the people.

Macro Issue #1

This same event—the death of Osama bin Laden—became controversial for another reason: The White House refused to provide photographs of bin Laden’s corpse or his burial at sea? Some journalists—in many countries—supported this approach; others disputed it. How would you analyze the White House approach in your role as a journalist? In your role as a strategic communication professional?

If assessing this as being either want to know, right to know, need to know, I’m sure that arguments could be made for all. I believe that if someone wants to see the photo, they should have the ability to access the photo through something like the Freedom of Information Act. However, I think it would be potentially offensive to some people to publish the photo on the front page of a newspaper. If the photo exists then people should be able to see it if they so choose; perhaps making it available in an archive or somewhere on the internet with a graphic content warning would be a good compromise.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I think it is inappropriate to alter photos of historic moments regardless of ideology. If it were absolutely necessary, and if Hillary Clinton was actually immodestly dressed, then I would think they could caption the photo explaining why they chose to alter her out of the photo. 

Case Study 6-A: The Truth about the Facts: PolitiFact.com

Image Source: humanevents.com / PolitFact.com

Washington D.C. Bureau Chief Bill Adair, Tampa Bay Times, launched a website called “PolitiFact.com” in 2007. The goal of the website was to assess the validity of political claims and statements. PolitiFact.com is known for its “Truth-O-Meter”, a scale for ranking the validity of a claim that ranges from true to “pants on fire”. The website was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2009 for its fact-checking initiative during the 2008 presidential campaign.

Micro Issue #3

Why is the truthfulness of a statement examined in a separate news story instead of becoming part of continuing coverage? Is this approach ethically defensible?

I believe that Bill Adair and the Tampa Bay Times created PolitiFact.com to fill a void in political reporting. This is because “mass media have become the primary source of political information” (137). This problem with this is “news stories about elections emphasize strategy and tactics rather than stands on issues” (134). Journalists also face the problem of “being discreet in their news coverage” even when candidates are not, in order to avoid slipping into “tabloid journalism or the domain of gossipy blogs that cast doubt on our journalistic motives and credibility” (138). I would say that this approach is ethically defensible because of the lack of coverage on substantive information provided by the mainstream media. I visited the website, and each claim has a substantial amount of information proving or disproving its validity.

Midrange Issue #3

Adair has said that he believes the site would not be as successful without the Truth-O-Meter, even though he acknowledges that truth is often more subtle than a simple rating would indicate. Do such sites need a gimmick to cut through the clutter of political speech today? Can such gimmicks be ethically justified?

In the case of PolitiFact.com and the Truth-O-Meter, I believe that the use of “gimmicks” is ethically justified in that it engages citizens in the political process in a way traditional news reporting does not. Many people report receiving the bulk of the political information from advertising and late night comedians. Not to mention the rise of data visualization as an effective tool of digital journalism. I think that in this scenario, the use of the “gimmicky” Truth-O-Meter helps PolitiFact.com effectively stand out from other news sites.

Macro Issue #2

Evaluate this statement by James W. Carey in light of the efforts of PolitiFact.com: “There is no such thing as a fact without context.”

This quote from James W. Carey is exponentially relevant in thinking about the discourse presented by PolitiFact.com through its “Truth-O-Meter”. Upon visiting the website, I learned that you can view all statements evaluated by the site or you may opt to view by the level of validity to the claim, such as “true,” “mostly true,” “false,” “pants on fire,” “half flip,” and “full flop.” Each statement is presented juxtaposed to the person or organization putting out that message, followed by the ranking of truth, with a brief quip underneath the ranking as to how the website came to that conclusion. However, if the user clicks on the ranking, they are then taken to an additional webpage that details the facts involved and the process of assessing the validity of the claim. I believe that this additional webpage provides the context necessary to distinguish facts from exaggerations, deceptions, and outright falsehoods. However, I do believe that the way the Truth-O-Meter is presented (without context), is problematic.

Conclusion

Some people may be off-put by the presentation of truth and facts through the Truth-O-Meter on PolitiFact.com, but upon visiting the site for the first time this evening I found it to be a wealth of information and assessment of political leader’s statements, particularly those running for presidential nominations currently. I do recognize that the information could be presented in a way that relates the “truth” to the context of the statement and the process of assessing that truth, but I think overall that the website functions as a supplemental means for citizens to effectively and informatively engage in the political process through news organizations.

Media Ethics: Issues and Cases - Blog Post 1

Case Study 2-A: Can I Quote Me on That?

Image Source: Politico

This case study details the relationship between the press and politicians, specifically regarding the acceptance of quote approval as a necessary means of gaining access to politicians and their campaign staff. Essentially, the issue at hand is that politicians have grown increasingly concerned about being misquoted or misrepresented in the media. In order for press to gain access, many major news organizations, such as The New York Times, have agreed to allow politicians to review any quotes a reporter intends on using in an article, to be edited and ultimately approved before the article goes to print.

Micro Issue #3

Are there certain sorts of stories, for example stories about science or finance, where this practice might be more acceptable? Why or why not?

Stories about science or finance require exact numbers, correct information and names, and other important details that are very specific. Articles on science and finance may directly impact the readers’ lifestyles, such as stories regarding food or taxes, and if these articles misrepresent the information presented by scientists and finance specialists, it could lead the public to make decisions based off of that incorrect reporting. For this reason, I believe that the practice of quote approval is more acceptable in these situations than it is for politicians who are less concerned with the accuracy of the articles and more concerned with how the articles present them.

Midrange Issue #2

Should reporters disclose to their readers when they have submitted a story for quote approval?

In the beginning of the chapter, the ideal of journalism is identified as “the communication of truth” (21). If agreeing to quote approval is the only way that press can gain access to politicians, then quote approval becomes a necessary means to an end, with the end being increasing the public’s awareness. If the public’s awareness is based off of quotes that have been altered, then the ethical thing to do would be to disclose that the quotes were submitted for approval. If news is truly a “construction of reality”, then it falls on the reporter to be transparent about that construction (38).

Macro Issue #3

By agreeing to “quote approval” are reporters opening the debate as to whether they are serving the best interests of the public or serving the interests of politicians?

Yes. The case study states that “news about political campaigns is an ongoing negotiation—or power struggle—between journalists, editors, and owners on one side, and candidates, campaign staffers, and party activists on the other” (38). This is important because in giving quote approval, reporters are ultimately succumbing to the will of the politicians, since that is the only way politicians will offer an interview. If the ideal of journalism is to communicate the truth, then journalists and news organizations that agree to quote approval are not meeting that ideal and instead are serving the interests of politicians.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I feel as though quote approval completely contradicts journalism’s ideal of communicating the truth. I also think that it fails to provide the “transparency” that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting built its “new standards and practices policy” on in 2011 (36). I believe it is unethical in that it serves the interests primarily of the politicians and is a disingenuous representation of the “truth.”

Case Study 3-G: In the Eye of the Beholder: Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty

Image Source: Huffington Post / Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty

Dove, a division of Unilever, launched a new brand campaign focused on “real beauty” and “real women” in 2005. The campaign was first launched in the UK, where it was very successful, leading the brand to take the campaign to a global level. The campaign depicts “real women” by using models of varying skin colors, hair textures, heights, weights, etc. The campaign was a direct result of research conducted in a plethora of countries regarding how women view themselves and whether or not they consider themselves to by beautiful, pretty, and/or attractive. The participants of the research study were not informed that it was for Dove and there were no references made to the brand.

Micro Issue #1

What about this ad represents an attempt to “cut through the clutter?”

This ad attempts to “cut through the clutter” by presenting the public with models deemed unconventional in relation to competitor’s ads. Instead of seeing mostly thin, tall, beautiful women with blonde hair, viewers see women that may more accurately represent them and the other women in their life, allowing the viewer to relate to the ad more so than the “clutter” of the other ads.

Midrange Issue #1

The Dove Campaign has been praised as an example of ethical advertising. Evaluate this statement.

I find the content of the ad campaign to be problematic in its presentation of “real women” and in its overall intent. Is their intent advocacy; are they advocating for women to feel beautiful just the way they are? Or, is their intent to sell products by creating an emotional connection between women and the campaign by manipulating their insecurities? At the same time the company is telling women that they have inherent “real beauty,” they are prompting them to buy their products to fix their cellulite or frizzy hair. To me, this ad exhibits the “cognitive dissonance” referenced on page 54, defined as when “a message and action give conflicting and uncomfortable signals.” However, I understand how many people may feel that this is an example of ethical advertising, because it appears that Dove takes the role of culture in our lives seriously and “authentically reflect(s) the diverse voices that comprise our culture” in ways that other companies don’t (55).

Macro Issue #1

Examine the literature on eating disorders. What role do you believe ads play in the development of those disorders? How important is advertising compared to some other influences?

I believe that advertisements play a serious role in creating “ideals” by which we should live by. They present problems and offer solutions through consumer goods. Normally, ads present thin, attractive, tall women—sometimes unhealthily so—as the ideal. This, in conjunction with mainstream movies, television, and magazines, create a culture in which women are subjected to a bombardment of media telling them, directly or indirectly, that their weight is related to or defines their worth. For example, the Dove campaign pits two words or phrases against each other, one presented as positive and one as its opposite, a negative (76). One of the examples is the image of a “larger-than-average” woman with the words “overweight or outstanding?” implying that the two are mutually exclusive. This sort of rhetoric, I feel, manipulates the consumer into both believing that they are beautiful the way they are and also directs them to buy their products.

Conclusion
I recognize the conflicting opinions regarding the ethical nature of the ad campaign and agree that, in my opinion, the campaign is unethical. It is manipulating the insecurities of women for financial profit, while falsely presenting itself as a campaign to promote self confidence through inner, “real”, beauty. However, I do think that the campaign is a welcome change of pace and effectively “cuts through the clutter” of other campaigns that only feature conventional models. I also admit that as a plus-size woman I may have a personal bias in determining the ethical nature of the campaign.