Alterations in Journalistic Photography

Photojournalism's objective is to present news via media broadcasting. It is a form of a collection of news for the general public. In photojournalism, photographs help keep record of events in history and help bring more to a story with an image than word of mouth. Photographers have the ability to capture a moment in time that could possibly provide insight perhaps more meaning to others about the situation. Since the general public depends entirely on the feedback from these photographs, the material must be transparent and free of personal benefit. In other words, alterations are restricted in providing a livelier story to promote one side than the other. Alterations may be made only if it addresses to the brightness of the image or to the reduction of blur spots. Any addition or removal of any content associated with the photograph is strictly prohibited because it defeats the whole purpose of capturing stories right then and there. 

 Photojournalism is an effective tool in sculpting the society around us. Take for instance the method of propaganda. This form of communication is very influential that it will eventually gear people to act differently toward others whether for better or for worst. Overall, the photographs taken by photojournalists are taken respectively according to the event at that point in time. If alterations in journalistic photography were allowed, the truth behind the photos will lose its value and will lose the trust and loyalty of the public. That is why it is very important to stress that photo manipulation is an improper practice in photojournalism. If we were to envision the potential impact of alterations, we could imagine that one documented photograph may be viewed by thousands, each interpreting the news story. Imagine the impact on the some odd thousand people if the photograph was tampered with and manipulated for personal gain.