New Media Ecosystems; New Media Qualities and Freedom of Speech and Public Sphere

In the era before the development of technology citizens gathered together at particular places such as Coffee shops , Salons, work places etc.  to discuss social and political issues to influence political action. These places were known as public Spheres.   Today, the public Spheres are the internet, newspapers, telephone and other channels tied to new media which form the platform for discussions on social problems and to initiate political action by talk. The protest in Egypt to oust Hosni Mubarak was successful due to the new media being the Public Sphere. 

                                             Social media, cellphone video fuel Arab protests

The Public Spheres are of two categories i.e. The ‘Private Sphere’ which is the civil society and the   ‘Sphere of Public Authority Which is the  Government, Police etc.  With the concept of Public sphere it is possible for the Private Sphere to approach the State and Public Authorities. Access for minority voices and political outsiders are essential features of a successful Public Sphere ( World bank,ComGapp). 

According to CommGapp, Democratic Public Spheres constitutes   5 elements.

1)       Constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties.

 Most countries have accepted basic civil liberties and agreed upon the Universal Declaration on human rights. This covers the areas of freedom of expression, opinion and assembly.  

2)       Free, plural and independent media systems  free from state or corporate control.

This will ensure that the media systems are not biased and facilitate accurate news. 

3)       Access to public information

This ensures transparency and openness in social and political activities.

4)      The existence of a Civil Society

There must be a type of society that supports demands for accountability for actions whether from the State or Society.        

5)       Availability of sites for every day talk about public affairs.

This is for the formation of public opinions. It ensures the freedom to gather at  various places for discussion.

The internet which a popular Public Sphere does not contain all these elements. Salter (2004) argues that the internet is shaped by ‘Forms of Use’ ie how people use it. In some developing countries the access to an internet is limited due economical difficulties.In such cases the internet is only for an exclusive portion of the society.  Then it provides a disorganized spheres which could consist unreasonableness and  excessive opinions  ( Dean 2003). It could create influential identities in the society and undermine the democratic ideal of equality ( Lanat 2008). An example of this situation is the Zaptista rebellion movement in Mexico which used the media to create identities.           

                                        

It is hard to accept the existence of ideal democratic Public Spheres these days, in most countries. Most Government are exerting unreasonable control over the media for their political agendas.                                                      

References

‘ The Public Sphere’, no d., Communication for Governance and Accountability Program, World Bank, Available at < http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXGOVACC/Resources/PubSphereweb.pdf >       Retrieved 12 June 2011

            

Dean, J, 2003, ‘ Why the Net is Not a Public Sphere, Constellations, 10, 1,  Pg  95 – 112

Habermas J 1996,  Between Facts and Norms: Contributions to a Discourse Theory of law and Democracy, Cambridge : Polity Press

Lunat, Z , 2008, The Internet and the Public Sphere: Evidence from Civil Society In Developing Countries, Government Department, London School of Economics and Political Science, Available  at < http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc/article/viewFile/501/253  >  Retrieved  12 June 2011

                                   

Salter, L,   2004, ‘ Structure and Forms of Use; A Contribution to understanding the ‘Effects’ of the Internet on Deliberative Democracy, Information, Communication & Society,  7,2, P 185- 206

             

Photojournalism and Ethical Publishing

Photojournalism is the capture of images using a camera and the manipulation of the image honestly for clear presentation (Burley 2011).  Photo and video images convey their news by visual images. It could be actual or manipulated. It can inspire hope, understanding and impact on the emotions of the public in a greater way than by other forms of media. It causes great harm if it is manipulated or callously used. The picture shown below is one such photo which has been manipulated. The irresponsibility of the photojournalists could even lead to diplomatic controversies.

                                                                  (Faked Image)


(Source:http://www.metro.co.uk/news/841131-egypt-paper-under-fire-for-altering-obama-photo)

                                                                 

                                                                    (Original Image)


(Source: http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/who-ever-said-the-camera-never-lies/)

                                                                  

Egpt’s biggest newspaper Al-Ahram was accused of being unprofessional in publishing a manipulated photo. The newspaper was forced to withdraw the fake and replace it with a different photo. The public confidence on the newspaper is bound to have decreased. Just like for other professions photojournalists are also expected to a code for ethical behavior. The Code of Ethics has been formulated by National Press Photographers Association USA. It consists of 9 main principles which are explained below.

               

1)       Be Accurate and Comprehensive

Be honest in the representation of subjects to the public by visuals.

2)      Resist opportunities of being manipulated for staged photo opportunities.

Photojournalists must such biased situations as it effects their integrity.

3)      Be Complete and provide contexts every time photographing a subject.

This will be on record and will prevent conflicts.

4)      Treat all subjects and people with respect and dignity in their work. .

Very photojournalists are found to be a nuisance to the public in their pursuit for photo.

5)      While photographing do not intentionally seek to alter or influence the events.

6)      Editing should maintain the integrity.  Images should not be manipulated to mislead the viewers.

7)      Do not pay or reward sources for participation in a photo for a questionable situation.

8)      Do not accept rewards for a coverage as it will be photo news.

9)      Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of a colleague.

I think the photojournalists should be very careful in carrying out their daily work as they are often faced with controversial situations due to irresponsibility.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           References

 ‘NPPA Code of Ethics’, no.d., National Press Photographers Association,  Available at  < http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/ethics.html >

 Burley, S, 2010, The Definition of Photojournalism: Looking at Ethics in Photojournalism, Available at< http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography/articles/93311.aspx >

Nirmaladasan, 2009, Ethics In Photojournalism, Available at < http://www.angelfire.com/nd/nirmaladasan/journalismonline/eip.html >

Thornhill.T, 2010, "Egypt paper under fire for altering Obama photo" available at <http://www.metro.co.uk/news/841131-egypt-paper-under-fire-for-altering-obama-photo>

                          

2010, "WHO EVER SAID THE CAMERA NEVER LIES" available at <http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/who-ever-said-the-camera-never-lies/>

           

Visuals and situational contexts; ethical publishing principles.

                      

The meaning of images are interpreted by the reader from the way the visuals are positioned within the situational context (Kress & Van Leewen 2006). It could differ from person to person. Journalists must be able to foresee in what different ways the majority of the people will interpret the visuals in the image. One such unfortunate situation was when Malaysia’s   Berita Harian had published the cartoon shown below with the intention of creating some amusement in the minds of the readers.  But the cartoonist had failed to visualize the situational context and that the readers were actually sympathizing with Japan and would find it distasteful. There had been a massive outcry from the general public on the insensitivity of the newspaper and demanded a public apology. The reputation of the newspaper was at stake. The Editor did apologize (Mei 2011).    

                                                                              

Irrespective of the form of media all professional journalists are expected to conduct themselves ethically just like other professionals. The Society of Professional Journalists has issued a code of ethics for their members which have been accepted voluntarily. The principles included are  ‘Seek Truth and Report It’, ‘Minimize Harm’, ‘Act Independently’  and ‘Be Accountable’ (SPJ Code of Ethics n.d.).

1)       Seek Truth and Report It.

       Journalists must be honest, fair and  have courage to report the truth.

2)       Minimize Harm

A journalist is expected to give due respect to the sources, objects and colleagues in carrying out their        duties.  Must be compassionate and sensitive to all those who are adversely affected by the situations. It has been stated in it that pursuit of news is not a license for arrogance. 

3)       Act Independently

A journalist is expected to carry out unbiased reporting. He should not have any conflict of interests. He has to respect the  fact that the public has a right to know the truth.

4)      Be Accountable

He should be able to accept responsibility for any work carried out as a journalists and be able to furnish any editorial information as required.

It is now clear to me that in the Berita Harjan  Cartoon case  the journalists had failed follow the code of ethics and had exposed themselves to a critical situation. With by experience with blogs I have realized the importance of ethical behavior required from us being students in communication.

                                      

References

‘ SPJ Code of Ethics’, no d, Society of Professional Journalists, Available at < http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp >

 Kress, G. &Van Leewen, T, 2006, Reading Images: The Grammer of Visual Design, edn. 2, Routledge, London

Mei, W. P, 2011,  Berita Harian issues public apology over tsunami cartoon, The star online, Available at , http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/14/nation/8262608&sec=nation