FACULTY OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATION

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
SEMESTER 2 2018

BMMC 1043 MEDIA ETHICS

Lecturer: Ms Ker Yuek Li

NAME: ANGELA KWEK ANN CHEE

STUDENT ID: B170212A
BATCH: BMC 17-B
TOPIC: FABIENNE CHERISMA (TRUTHFULNESS AND OBJECTIVITY)

Rubric for the Report

The relevance of case to the topics in the 5%
subject media ethics
Analysis & generalization skill 10%
Work quality
Amount of reading & reference 5%
 Diagram 1: Photographed by Paul Hansen

Diagram 2: Photographed by Nathan Webner

Diagram 3: Photographed by Carlos Garcia (the first photographer arrived at scene) /

Reuters

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1.0 Introduction

In 2010, a 15 years old girl named Fabienne Cherisma from the capital of Haiti Port-au-
Prince who survived from the Haiti Earthquake with 7.0 magnitude was fatally shot and killed
by police after looting 2 plastic chairs and 3 framed pictures. Number of images from different
angle then released and became widely discussed and appeared in some of the international
news outlets, some picures of her body also went on international awards for photojournalism.

One of the photograph, taken by Paul Hensen (Diagram 1) went on to win a Swedish Picture
of the year award, but then raise the critics in the Swedish Media over the ethics of such images.
Another photograph from Nathan Weber ( Diagram 2) shot from different angle, which
showing a group of photographers crowded around the body. Nathan’s picture shows the
photographers are more vultures, trying to get the best version of the picture instead of using
the photograph as political tools.

1.1 The controversial issue

While some of the audiences are praising the publication of this Fabienne’s image,
controversy also reveals the difficulty to the complex discomfort of the audience which is
called “distant discomfort” that received from the news, and also argue whether should publish
this image widely while considering the age of the victims and the privacy of her family.

Another aspect of controversy sparked after many version of the images released, critics
hit towards Paul Hensen after the public made comparison with the original version of the
picture, criticized on his using of wide angles lens to make his own photograph more
compelling and powerful. In comparison with the picture from Nathan Weber, though less
photography skills were used in his photography but preferred by public which tells the reality
in the most natural way, reflect the stories between the vulnerable and the stories of journalist
in an inspired way.

A photographer Carlos Garcia, was reportedly the first photographer arrived at the scene.
His photograph ( Diagram 3) in contrast does not have much skills, but it clearly shows that
the direction of Fabienne’s body is different, obviously shows that someone have moved the
body to convey a specific feeling. Although Paul Hansen explained that the girl was moved by
the looters who intended to search her body but public still believe that the Fabienne’s body
position was changed for the image purpose.

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2.0 Viewpoints on the controversies

As the publication on the photo of Fabienne Cherisma goes controversial, (Gross, L. P.,
Katz, J. S., & Ruby, J. 2003) mentioned that physical and psychological frames are always
deemed as nonnewsworthy because the corpse photo often deliver high impact to the public.
Standing from the public’s perspective, only extraordinary picture can bring unusual attention
especially the subjects are vulnerable kids which easily received the sympathy from the public.
This emphasized my point on supporting of publishing the image because using the usual
frames will be easily neglected by the viewers. Relevant works “Syrian Boy” indicates the best
example for the importance of being truthfulness, it immediately raised the global awareness
towards the Syria Refugee issue and became a topic debated in parliament, Syrian Refugee also
started to receive large amount of donations from worldwide (Cole, D. 2017).

In order to discuss whether the photograph should be published, (Louis A.Day, 2006) noted
that this can be discussed in 2 different perspective in the concept of truthfulness. Kantianism
focuses on the fulfillment of the duties and the absolute prohibition of lying and deception,
clearly shows that those journalists have the duties to take the picture of Fabbiene in order to
reflects the absolute truth of the event. Besides, though it seems taking the photo of Fabienne
will harm her families but utilitarianism highlights the optimistic consequences and believe the
greatest good for the majority, meanwhile the photo can be used as the tool to help her families
raise the voice and give awareness to the world about the senseless death of Fabienne Cherisma,
shows the importance of the truthfulness and the benefits that outweigh the harmful
consequences in this issue.

In my viewpoints, the journalists have the obligation to strive the truth in the concept of
truthfulness and objectivity. Therefore, the journalist should obligate their role to document the
scene and publish the photo especially when the images often play significant roles in
influencing the understanding and the perception of the publics about the event. At the same
time, public also has the right to learn about the stories and see the next action that will be taken
by the government(Keith, Schwalbe, and Silcock 2006; Shipman 1995). This is especially
under the circumstances when Fabienne is innoncently killed, alleged by the Haitian police,
the photos actually could highlight and inform the people about the lawless state in Haiti.
Whether it is war, violent death or a negligent death, the public still has the right to learn about
such stories and the news-media have the duty to report them.

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 Another value that need to be considered is human dignity, as what newsworthiness of a
death always conflict with. ( Morse, Tal 2014). Public deem the human dignity and the privacy
of Fabienne are violated when those photographers take the picture wihout the conscent of her
families. In my opinion, since Fabienne is innocently killed, a medium used to raise their voice
is highly needed by their families. At the same time, the dignity of Fabbiene could be gained
back as the attention raised that could help the entire Haiti and herself.

The controversy prompts another viewpoint, Hensen is said one of the person who moved
the body and intended to deceive. Secondly, in the photograph of Paul Hensen used has made
the alteration by using wide angles has affected the authenticity of the photograph. (Louis
A.Day, 2006) noted that all these acts are indicating the attemption to justify the deceive to
appeal a “higher truth”, which is deemed as ethically wrong in Kant’s Categorical Imperative
that absolute prohibites lying and deception. In the concepts of truthfulness, they should
balance two imperatives which including documenting and telling the real story, such that news
photographer should not alter what they see and hear because they represent as the eyes and
ears of the public, no alteration should be made especially when it is a newscover. Otherwise,
if public know the setting has been rearranged, they will lose trust to the news agency and no
more rely on journalism.

Truthfulness and objectivity encourage the journalists to tell two sides of stories, I think
that works from Nathan Webner should be the one who be applaudded with the awards because
they really presented his point of view in original way, steps out and capture the entire scene
between the journalists and the victim Fabbiene. Although his work prompt more critics across
media ethics, but Nathan expressed the neutral voice in this matter, completely fulfilled the
obligation for the truthfulness, at the same time provide a platform for public critics.

Reflection

As media should provide truthful, comprehensive of the day’s events and give meaning to
them, a truthfulness journalist should strive for understanding, avoid distortion and omission.
Controversy often arised because of the dilemma between self-interest and human dignity. In
conclusion, the dilemma can be solved by the Golden Mean of Aristotle mentioned in (Louis
A.Day, 2006) which used the guidelines to delicate the balance between social responsibility
and self interest, as long as pointing out for the moral reason for the action. Therefore, it is
acceptable to be published for a better outcome as long as good caption is used in the news
article.

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Reference

1) Debate Over Fabienne Cherisma Photos Rekindled After Award Given. (2011, March
29). Retrieved from https://petapixel.com/2011/03/29/debate-over-fabienne-cherisma-
photo-rekindled-after-award-given/
2) Is This Photo Ethical? (2011, April 11). Retrieved from
http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2011/04/07/is-this-photo-ethical/
3) The elements of journalism. (2013, October 09). Retrieved from
https://www.americanpressinstitute.org/journalism-essentials/what-is-
journalism/elements-journalism/
4) Cole, D. (2017, January 13). Study: What Was The Impact Of The Iconic Photo Of
The Syrian Boy? Retrieved from
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/01/13/509650251/study-what-was-
the-impact-of-the-iconic-photo-of-the-syrian-boy
5) Keith, Susan, Carol B. Schwalbe, and B. William Silcock. 2006. “Images in Ethics
Codes in an Era of Violence and Tragedy.” Journal of Mass Media Ethics 21 (4):
245–264.
6) Day, L. A. (2006). Ethics in media communications: Cases and controversies.
Boston: Wadsworth.
7) Gross, L. P., Katz, J. S., & Ruby, J. (2003). Image ethics in the digital age.
Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
8) Morse, Tal (2014) Covering the dead. Journalism Studies, 15 (1). pp. 98-113.