The True Importance of the NPPA Code of Ethics

Scott Proietti
sp034211@ohio.edu 

The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) promotes the highest standards in the field of visual journalism. The association has a strict code of ethics for visual journalists and the code is intended to promote the highest quality of work in all forms of visual journalism, as well as strengthen the public's confidence in photojournalists. It's important for the public to be able to trust visual journalists because, as we all know, a picture can be worth 1000 words.

Preamble

The NPPA acknowledges concern for every person's need to be informed of public events and to be recognized as part of the world in which we live. Visual journalists are seen as trustees of the public. A visual journalist's responsibility is to document society and preserve society's history through images. I completely agree with the above statement. Photographs have supported historical events for thousands of years. Oral and written history can be lost over time and may not provide a true visual representation for people of what happened during a certain time period. Photographs help make things clearer and add a true dynamic to history. The NPPA preamble also states that pictures can reveal truths, expose wrongdoings and neglect, inspire understanding and connect people around the world visually. Photographs can cause great harm if they are intrusive or manipulated. Pictures being able to reveal truths, expose wrongdoings and connect people around the world has been proven time and time again throughout history.   

Code of Ethics

Visual journalists are expected to uphold nine principles as part of their code of ethics. I offered my opinion on a few of them below:

Visual Journalists-- follow this code so this meme doesn't apply to you.

1. Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects. It is important to be able to deliver the accurate truth to the public. Inaccuracies lead to a lack of faith in the long-term.

2. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.

3. Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one's own biases in the work. Stereotypes can lead to a strong distaste in the public, and personal biases do not bring the full truth to the people. 

4. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.

5. While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events. If a photographer alters any events while photographing subjects, he or she is automatically introducing potential faults to the situation. It is important to keep the environment and situation current and accurate for the public. 

6. Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.

7. Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation. If a photographer offers pay or other benefits to sources for information, he or she runs the risk of being fired by their employer. This is also very unethical and can lead to many controversies. The public will also lose trust in the journalist and improper activities such as this will surround the field with a gray cloud. 

8. Do not accept gifts, favors or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage.

9. Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists. If a journalist sabotages the efforts of other journalists, all he or she is doing is making the field look bad in front of the public and this will cause the public to trust journalists even less than they do currently.