Fifteen videos on photo manipulation in news that consider visual intelligence in a mediated world.  Remember: One deceptive picture is worth 1000 deceptive words.  Today’s post is no different.

We see examples everywhere of the growing awareness to the inherent dangers of visual deception.  Unfortunately however, no one has a clear understanding of “journalistic license” or of the “ethical rules” of image construction.  So then, what exactly is the “number one rule of responsible reporting”?  What are the rules of visual presentation?  Accuracy? Truthfulness?  Reality?  The last photo in this video clip was manipulated in PhotoShop.  Why - and for what effect??

But consider this: Nothing in this entire CNN-Reuters news report is visually truthful.  Every element - the entire studio background; the graphics; even anchor hair, make-up and wardrobe - has been “deliberately manipulated” and further enhanced by “lighting conditions”. By design, do these deceptively visual theatrics falsify broadcast news content?  Maybe. Has the B&W promotional photo of Charles Johnson been cropped and manipulated in PhotoShop?  Is this staging reality for propaganda purposes?  Maybe.

Certainly the fake city skyline photo of Los Angeles behind Charles Johnson has been doctored in numerous ways.  So is the problem here that the Beirut photo was manipulated so clumsily? – or that it was published by the reputable Reuters? - or that Adnan Hajj admitted to the "mistake"?

Did Adnan Hajj's manipulation actually do harm? Did his photo tell a DIFFERENT story?.. or did he simply enhance the presentational impact of a truthful photo?  WHY did he do it?  These are big, modern media questions.... because we see TV complain about photo manipulation even while they visually lie to us.

Reuters may have visual and ethical standards, but do other “journalism” outlets?  But more to the point, what are the problems and guidelines of image manipulation?  Media Nipple readers know the answer.  We have haven't seen anything yet.

Consider visual literacy and grow better media communication.