As I listened to others’ opinion on news photography, I noticed that most people talked about when a journalist should interfere with a scene that shakes our most sensitive humanitarian values. When a picture of someone in a desperate situation makes the cover of a newspaper, we immediately feel sorry for that person, and wonder if someone, particularly that photographer since he/she was there, helped that person in need.
At first, I thought exactly like this. I wished for that person’s rescue to be quick as possible. However, as I read Patricia Holland’s’ detailed article on news photography, my thought started to change and so did my focus. In her article, Ms. Holland talks about a particular work by the Picture Post photographer Bert Hardy.
At first, I thought exactly like this. I wished for that person’s rescue to be quick as possible. However, as I read Patricia Holland’s’ detailed article on news photography, my thought started to change and so did my focus. In her article, Ms. Holland talks about a particular work by the Picture Post photographer Bert Hardy.
Bert Hardy received a lot of praise when he documented a soldier ‘sharing his last drop of water with a peasant,’ as stated in the article. Unfortunately, this photo turned out to be a set-up. Hardy had asked the American soldier to give some water so that he can have ‘the shot’.
As I read this, I realized how easily we, human beings, can be deceived. In order to sell maybe a 100 or 1000 more copies, the media is manipulating our feelings. Manipulation is almost inevitable since even the most strongest at heart, have a tendency to feel sympathy when something really tragic happens to someone- even when that someone is a total stranger.
It just disgusts me when I read stuff like this. Dishonesty is something I cannot stand. Not a long time ago, I considered becoming a journalist. However, I easily realized that it is a tough world to survive in, and events like this made me aware of this fact even more. I still don’t know which profession I’ll choose; however, if I do pursue journalism, I’ll make sure that both the stories and the images are real. At least, that is what a true journalist should do.
As I read this, I realized how easily we, human beings, can be deceived. In order to sell maybe a 100 or 1000 more copies, the media is manipulating our feelings. Manipulation is almost inevitable since even the most strongest at heart, have a tendency to feel sympathy when something really tragic happens to someone- even when that someone is a total stranger.
It just disgusts me when I read stuff like this. Dishonesty is something I cannot stand. Not a long time ago, I considered becoming a journalist. However, I easily realized that it is a tough world to survive in, and events like this made me aware of this fact even more. I still don’t know which profession I’ll choose; however, if I do pursue journalism, I’ll make sure that both the stories and the images are real. At least, that is what a true journalist should do.
A nice, hard-hitting post Hazal. I suppose what disturbs me more is not when people respond sympathetically to 'fake' news, but when they respond unsympathetically to real news. The bombardment of images in the media helps to desensitise our response, I suppose (and of course the capitalist structure keeps us feeling at once selfish and helpless to change anything).
ReplyDeleteYou would make a great journalist. As you say, there are so few left who have any real integrity. I hope you checked out John Pilger in my Post #6.
Yes, i agree that the media numbs our senses to the 'real' reality that is out there. It is too cruel.
ReplyDeleteI'll read about John Pilger as soon as I can. I'm very curious already :)
Hazal, thank you for your post, it helped me to think again about making news honestly and properly.
ReplyDeleteAnd i found another point.
There must be a very special balance at publishing the photos which includes other people's pains.
For media, this kind of news are easy, because in Turkey pain, gains.
When we see that every newspaper every tv programme,our eyes get used to it and it is becoming common thing.And we are starting to not think about it.
For example when i saw martyr news at the TV , i am not thinking deeply on it.Because i remember that they are publishing the funerals for an hour. Media must be very carefull.Must publish these news very properly for not miss the society's attention.
Ah yes, Ayşe, a very good point about these funerals.
ReplyDeleteAnd something very interesting about the word 'şehit' - if translated literally, this does indeed mean 'martyr', but this is actually not a normal translationinto English. We would probably use 'dead soldier' or 'casualty' in our news media. 'Martyr' has strong connotations of extreme sacrifice, on a level with Jesus Christ, for example. It is highly emotive and would greatly influence viewers' response to war. I was outraged to see such a word being used so freely when I came to Turkey, but now I know it's the normal way of describing fallen soldiers. I(Of course, this strong meaning is also intentional in Turkey!) It would be considered blatant propaganda if used in our media, though. Just one of the many mysteries of intercultural translation!!
Thank you both for your responses :)
ReplyDeleteYes, unfortunately in Turkey, since we as a society seem to be more emotional than others(this just my personal opinion), the media easily toys with us. I think the translation of the word 'martyr' exemplifies this emotional blackmail perfectly. Twisting words to receive benefit is a typical approach in any industry, after all(!)
Since I am a very emotional person, I don't watch the news anymore. It just upsets me, so I don't bother tuning in. Some become numb as well. These two are the most common. Either way, it is no good..
Yes, I tend to alternate between being overemotional and feeling numb...
ReplyDelete