"This is Still their Lives": Photojournalists' Ethical Approach to Capturing and Publishing Graphic or Shocking Images

Graphic and gut-wrenching images of death, violence, and pain fill our news media, despite debate about their effect on audiences and their potential to harm their subjects. This research uses in-depth interviews with photojournalists to explore the decision-making process and ethical considerations...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of mass media ethics Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 17 - 30
Main Authors Miller, Kaitlin C., Dahmen, Nicole
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Philadelphia Routledge 02.01.2020
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Audiences
Publishing
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Graphic and gut-wrenching images of death, violence, and pain fill our news media, despite debate about their effect on audiences and their potential to harm their subjects. This research uses in-depth interviews with photojournalists to explore the decision-making process and ethical considerations involved in capturing and publishing such images. Research found participants justify taking and publishing graphic images as a way to empower subjects, while also informing audiences. Research also found participants emphasize an ethic of care and focus on subjects when taking pictures - demonstrating less concern with upsetting audiences, and more concern with caring for subjects and informing the public. Ultimately, researchers uncovered a three-tier ethic of care approach to capturing and publishing graphic images.
ISSN:2373-6992
2373-700X
DOI:10.1080/23736992.2020.1731313