Ethical issues in photojournalism

Abstract

Photographic cameras are based on the fidelity of the eyes. Consequently, the camera never lies. For many years, media photographers have used this reasoning typology as a shield and justification during early debates regarding the relationship between this visual medium and the objective truth.

Simplifying the theoretical and philosophical analysis, the questions which arise here are: Is photography a mirroring of reality or a kind of visual information which is affected by the subjectivity of its author? What role do beliefs, stereotypes, prejudices, interests, personal standpoints, individual affiliation or tastes of the author of a photograph play in creating the final product?

The following article intends to shed light on the relationship between media photography and the objective truth, focusing on the theoretical debate in this field. The analysis of ethical problems in Albanian photojournalism and the role of media digitalization and Internet in amplifying these problems, occupy a considerable place in the article. After a detailed panoramic view, the conclusions and recommendations that follow will serve for the practice of photojournalism in minimizing ethical violations by building a self-regulatory framework and an effective and transparent editorial policy.