Are Graphic Images Necessary in Informing the Public on Pressing Issues?

 Kevin McIntyre

km675818@ohio.edu

kevinmcin11@gmail.com

It is a journalist's responsibility to deliver news in the most effective and straightforward way. While doing this, however, it is extremely important that the content is being delivered to the public in an ethical way. According to the Society of Professional Journalists' (SPJ) website, an ethical journalist should, "Balance the public's need for information against potential harm or discomfort." 

Original photo taken by Kerstin Langenberger

There is a very fine line between an image that is powerful, effective, and harmless to the public and an image that is graphic and unnecessary to the understanding of a situation. It is often difficult, however, to discern whether an image is effective in driving forward a story or if it is simply inappropriate. 

There have been numerous cases in the history of photojournalism in which a photographer or a news outlet has received criticism for publishing sensitive images. One example of a photo that has divided audiences in the past comes from a series known as "Immersions," by photographer Andres Serrano 

In this series, Serrano photographs several different religious icons submerged in liquid. The most notable and controversial photographs are the ones that include a crucifix submerged in Serrano's urine. Audiences have expressed their opinions on the matter on both sides of the argument; one being that the photos are an expression of one's beliefs and the other being that the images are blasphemous, crude and inappropriate. 

There are many examples of controversial images that have come from the topic of war. This subject can be very powerful due to its violent and grotesque nature, which is also why it can often be so difficult to determine whether or not images of war should be available to the public. An example of this decision can be seen in the work of James Nachtwey, who covered the Somalian famine and civil war in 1992. 

Nachtwey's images covered the effects of war, rather than the war itself. During the time of this famine and civil war, over 200,000 Somalis lost their lives. One of Nachtwey's most famous images shows an extremely malnourished and starving woman in a wheelbarrow. This image was published to bring publicity to the extremely important issue that was going on in Somalia, and to encourage foreign aid. 

This is an example of what photojournalism, especially on sensitive subject matter, should aim to do. The photo was not taken to alienate or humiliate anyone, nor was it taken simply to disturb viewers. It was taken to inform the public on an important matter, and it did so in a way that words simply could not. It is a subject that can be very dividing and often subjective, but if journalists continue to consider all of the outcomes of their actions and minimize harm in any way they can, we will continue to see powerful images presented in an ethical manner.