Ethics in Photojournalism

9/11 The Falling Man

"the falling man"

Photo by: Richard Drew

Image source: https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/09/911-the-day-of-the-attacks/100143/

A very controversial and popular photo of 9/11 is Richard Drew's "falling man". Richard Drew was a Photojournalist in New York on September 11, 2001 and captured photos of the 9/11 tragedy. This Photojournalist captured people trapped in the towers jumping to their death. The pictures were published all over media outlets, and were very graphic in nature. The most popular was called "the falling man".  This picture showed the fall of a man who jumped out of a tower window to escape the fate he had waiting for him in the burning building. 

Ethical situations with Photojournalism are common, and one being photos are too graphic for the public eye.  Photographing tragedy is controversial in journalism as somethings need to be kept private, out of respect for the victims in the photos. The 9/11 photo of the "falling man" fits into this category of controversy. According to News.com: "In particular, pictures of the estimated 200 people who plunged to their death from the Twin Towers. Trapped, with nowhere to go, it was a heartbreaking way to die as thousands watched on, from the streets of New York, to the lounge rooms of those watching on television. One photo, though, was the most controversial of all: the Falling Man."

Photo by:Richard Drew

Image source:https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/09/911-the-day-of-the-attacks/100143/

The pictures of the man jumping out of the window is very shocking, and is remembered throughout the country. I do not believe such graphic photos should be posted like the falling man. Ethically I believe the victim's or subject's privacy should be respected. In the case of the falling man, there was no way to ask permission, or know if it would be something he would be ok with. I strongly agree with having a subjects permission prior to photographing. As it is unknown if he was identified by the picture, his family should not have to look at this picture in history.

My ethical map shows honestly, caring, kind, and moral which are things the falling man photo does not show. I do understand the need to tell a truthful story, however this seems to be at the expense of a man who was jumping out of a skyscraper to his death. This picture to me violates his privacy and exploits his tragedy.

Photo by: Lindsey Broussard