UK Journalists Show Support for Professional Photographers

In the always-evolving world of journalism, flexibility with multiple abilities and skills has become just as paramount as writing talents. In moves that promote both cost-cutting and finding multi-faceted workers, the world of journalism has become a realm for people with multimedia backgrounds to thrive and flourish. However, the growth towards this direction has left some of the old school behind, while others are put into uncomfortable situations where their duties happen to include aspects outside of their abilities.

Chicago served as one of the most prime examples of the changing landscape of journalism in 2013 when the Chicago Sun-Times laid off 28 full-time staff photographers to opt for journalists and reporters to handle photographic duties, oftentimes from their smartphones. The results were less than stellar, as you can see in the example below featuring the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup win later that summer – on the left is a professional photograph published by the Chicago Tribune, on the right is the photograph published by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times side-by-side comparison

The National Union of Journalists in the United Kingdom and Ireland have banded together to protest against the growing change in journalism by refusing to take assignments that should be assigned to professional photographers. The show of solidarity further proves the importance of keeping professional photographers on staff, but also indicates how vital proper photographs can be in crafting the story being written.

The National Union of Journalists thusly ask the question:

Who will be there to do it when [photographers are] gone? An over-stretched reporter or an unpaid member of the public simply whipping out a smart-phone to take a quick snap smacks of exploitation.

The last thing we want happening in the world is mainstream news outlets running stories with TMZ-quality photos and videos. I just shudder at the thought.

[via PetaPixel]