Photojournalism is the form of journalism that employs images to tell a story. Usually refers only to still images, but more and more the term also refers to the video used in television journalism, the so-called Videogame. Photojournalism distinguishes itself from other branches of photography, such as documentary photography, social documentary photography, street photography or celebrity photography, respecting a rigid ethical framework that requires that the reporter be always honest and impartial in telling the story in strictly journalistic terms. Photojournalists create images that contribute to information, so photojournalists need to be well informed about the events they are taking.
Timeliness, objectivity and narration are the three main principles of the Photo and Video Journalist. Timeliness as Images have meaning in the context of a recently published event. Objectivity, given the nature implied by the images that must be a correct and accurate representation of the events that are portrayed, both in content and tone. Narration because the images are combined with other elements of the story that makes the facts of a news easier to access to the public.
As a writer, a photojournalist is a reporter, but he or she must often make decisions instantly and carry photographic equipment, often while exposed to significant obstacles (e.g., physical danger, weather, crowds, physical access).
The photojournalist ethics
All photojournalists and videogionalists must strive with their own example and their area of influence in maintaining high standards of ethical conduct, keeping themselves free from mercenary considerations of any kind. Every photojournalist and video reporter has the responsibility, at all times, to look for images that report reality in a truthful, honest and objective way. Corporate promotion in its many forms is essential, but false statements of any kind are not worthy of a professional photojournalist and any such practice must be openly condemned.
It is our duty of every photo and video to encourage and assist all colleagues, so that the quality of photojournalism can be constantly raised to ever higher standards.
It is the duty and goal of every photojournalist to work to preserve all the rights of press freedom recognized by democratic laws and work to protect and expand the freedom of access to all sources of news and visual information.
Laws regarding photography can vary significantly from nation to nation. The legal situation is further complicated when one considers that photojournalism made in one country will often be published in many other countries.
