Response 1

Disturbing images have been around in journalism for many years. They help convey the truth about the world. Disturbing images vary from people to people. People have there own opinions and ideas on what disturbing images are. For example, I believe that a disturbing image is the picture we saw in class of
The baby buried. However, I feel that in the article “APME Survey: Readers Balance Compassion with Privacy When Considering Disturbing Images”, photo 4, flag-draped coffins is in my opinion not a disturbing picture.

These articles explained that it is important to have some type of disturbing photo to show what’s really going on in the world. I believe that it is important to have some type of disturbing image especially at a time of war. A picture says a thousand words. Pictures reach out to people emotionally unlike words. Pictures can expand your imagination, when people see a strong image they see and feel emotion instead of hearing about it. Images are way more powerful then words, seeing an image makes you feel apart of the story. In the article, As Ban lifts; Photos of Soldiers’ Coffins Increase Understanding through Visual Storytelling, the author says “Journalists have an obligation to report stories that help citizens in a democracy to be better informed so they can meaningfully participate in the civic process.” This statement provides truth, in order for people to want to change things, the need to see what’s really going on in the world. People should expose disturbing images to convey the magnitude of a world problem. Tony Overman explains this very well by saying “People need to know what kind of evil and vile events are taking place in the world in order to help stop it.” People need to see images to change them to shake them to the core. When people get upset or disturbed by these images they will want to help and to change the world for the better.

I fully agree with Rayl’s statement: “Not being able to face reality is a major problem in our society today”. This statement shows that people can be naive and caught up in there own lives with out realising what’s really happening in the world. Hearing about wounded and dying Americans while at war is one thing but seeing it brings people to reality. In the article “APME Survey: Readers Balance Compassion with Privacy When Considering Disturbing Images”, photo 3, Wounded American soldier, this picture brought many people back to reality and realised that it is war time and soldiers do die. What also made this photo so surreal is the soldier had a wedding ring on his finger. This made people realize that he was not just a casualty, but a man who had a family.

I think news organizations should censor some of there images, especially for younger audiences that might be watching. I think they could still convey disturbing images online in stories but not on the television. If they are up online they can be more protected from children and people still have the chance to see what’s going on in the world.

In conclusion I feel that the world needs journalist to portray their disturbing images. This will not only show people what’s going on in the world but it will give people a chance to help out.