Ethics: An Introduction To Ethics In Photojournalism

1.0 Introduction to ethics in photojournalism

According to merriam-webster.com, ethics is a term that known as the discipline of dealing with what is good and bad. Based on oxforddictionaries.com, ethics means moral principles that control behaviour of a person or the conducting of an activity. dictionary.com stated that ethics is a system of moral principles which are the rules of conduct acquainted in respect to a specific class of human actions or a specific group such as culture.

Based on Dictionary website, the definition of journalism the activity or profession of writing, reporting, editing, photographing, or preparing news and magazine to be broadcast. Based on merriam-webster.com, journalism means cover news reports or activities

Based on photographyicon.com, Photojournalism is an important arm of Journalism using the medium of photography as their main story telling device. Thus, photojournalists communicate news worthy messages and interpret events through their photographs published in the newspaper. The vast majority know about the familiar maxim, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. News productions will pay as much as possible to those photojournalists who can catch the most emotional pictures on film or their CCD chip. At the same time, regardless of social values and norms, the media organization's selfish purpose is often used. It not only violates the values and norms of society, but also depicts cults and immorality in an attractive

First is the truth and accuracy. In this aspect, journalists should always seek for accuracy as they cannot always guarantee the ‘truth’. In this case, journalists should always give all the appropriate facts they have and make sure those facts have been checked in order to strive for accuracy. If the information is not confirmed journalists should strictly reject. The second principle of ethical journalism is fairness and impartiality. Most of the stories have at least two sides, journalist have to ensure stories are balanced and add context while there is no obligation to present every side in each piece of work. While facing for example of inhumanity or brutality, objectivity may not always be desirable and is not always possible but fair reporting builds confidence and trust. Thirdly is independence. Journalists should not act formally or informally on the basis of special interests of politics, business or culture because they must be independent voices. They should declare any of their political relationships, financial arrangements or other personal information that may constitute a conflict of interest to their editors or viewers. Next is humanity. In this aspect, what journalists publish or broadcast may be hurtful. However, journalists should be aware of the impact of their own words and images on the lives of others because they should do no harm. The last principle of