The guiding principles of photo journalists

May 31, 2010 Letters

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Dear Editor,

In the interest of, natural law rights to freedom and media in searching for the truth, please, can this attempt and enlightenment be published; I know I am late for Press and Earth Day.

Mr. Editor, As photographers and photo journalists and related to the arts, we (I), believe the guiding principles of our profession in accuracy and excellence and at all times maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct in serving the public.

Thus, supporting the advancement of the arts, photojournalism and the media and, acknowledging the concerns and respect for the public’s natural-law-right to freedom in searching for the truth and the right to be informed truthfully and completely about public events and the world we live in.

Being so, we believe that no report can be complete if it is not possible to enhance and clarify the meaning of words.

Pictures whether used to depict news events as they actually happen, illustrate news that has happen or to help explain anything of public interest are, an indispensable means of keeping people accurately informed that they help all people young and old to better understand any subject in the public domain.

Believing the foregoing (I) we recognise and acknowledge that, photojournalists and the media should at all times maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct in serving the public interests; likewise, those of public stature, in the State service and the accountable. To that end all should subscribed to the following extracts from the National Press Photographers Associations, USA 1946-2010 and, the not included Law of the State.

The practice of photojournalism, both as a science and art, is worthy of the very best thought and effort of those who enter into it as a profession.

Photojournalism and the media afford an opportunity to serve the public that is equal by few other vocations that all members of the profession should strive by example and influence to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct free of mercenary considerations of any sort. Free of predigest and or discrimination of any kind for example age, race, religion, sex, culture, nationality or and persuasion.

Mr. Editor, it is the individual responsibility of every photojournalist at all times to strive for pictures that report truthfully, honestly, objectively and, as such by facilitators. As photographers and journalists, credibility is our greatest asset.

In documentary photojournalism, it is wrong to alter the content of a photograph in any way electronically or in the dark room that deceives the public.

We believe the guidelines for fair and accurate reporting should be the criteria for judging and what may be done electronically to a photograph. Business promotion in its many forms is essential but, untrue statements of any nature are not worthy of a professional photojournalist and or journalist and any such practices should be severely condemn.

It is our duty to encourage and assist all members of our profession, individually and collectively so that the quality of photography, photojournalism and journalism will constantly rise to higher standards.

It is the duty of every citizen, photojournalist and the media to work to preserve all freedom-of-press rights recognised by law, to work to protect and expand freedom of access to all sources of news and visual information.

No code of ethics can prejudge every situation; thus, common sense and good judgment are required in applying ethical principles. As professionals, freelance and hobbyists alike, we have the responsibility to document society and to preserve its images as a matter of record.

It is clear that the emerging electronic technologies provide new challenges to the integrity of photographic images. This technology enables the manipulation of the content of an image in such a way that change is virtually undetectable. In the light of this we should reaffirm the basis of our ethics and accurate representation should be the benchmark of the (our) Profession. Altering the editorial content of a photograph for publication in any degree is a breach of all ethical standards.

Our standards of business dealings, ambitions and relations shall have in them a note of sympathy for our common humanity and shall always require us to take into consideration our highest duties as members of society.

In every situation in our business life, in every responsibility that comes before us, our chief thought shall be to fulfill that responsibility and discharge that duty to that, when each of us is finished we shall have endeavoured to lift the level of human ideals and achievement higher than we found it.

Now saying so, a reporter (journalist) may seek clarification and may encounter an excuser and or a defender, the no commenter and I am not authorised to say anything to the press or you need permission to photograph this (public) building must be addressed. In this a democracy, the people have a right to know some things and yes, I have a family to feed, not that we are somewhere else in this world where freedom curtailment are the norm. The exercise of patience and civility comes with the territory and can be quite rewarding Sir.

Why some get all up in hard, is it not the way it works, you print or tell what dem boys/girls say and I will reply by calling you names and or threaten your establishment in legal terms when or if I do not like your says? Mmm… You are right again or I am? For those who do not follow calypso, kyso, sarcasm and or reality, we can get it right the first time; tell it now what is so or, dem boys/girls will have their (media) truthful here-say an daresay or whatever whoever so say questionable or not.

The choice is who-so-ever dare and say that somebody say…and dey sey there is only one Haabeeb Khaan. Thank You for seeing fit in allowing this untimely overdue letter in entirety. Not hoping for the Pulitzer but, if I can set in motion imaginations, thoughts for references on Guyana’s prided vocation and with some humour.

Hilton Chan, Photojournalist

Researcher. D. Alli

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