Cases and Issues in Photo Editing and Obscene Pictures in News Publications

Abstract

This study analysed ethical issues bordering on the use of nude and manipulated pictures to illustrate news stories. The objectives were to: reappraise the ethical implications of the publication and pictorial portrayal of Muhammadu Buhari as Aminu Jubril, examine the ethical provision for publication of nude pictures with regards to the pregnant woman on maternity shoot and the lawyer who posted her nude picture and that of the lady who displayed her pubic area on the social media for tattoo drawing on her private part. The social responsibility theory formed the theoretical framework for the study. Textual analysis was used to appraise the level of conformity of the publication of nude and manipulated pictures to the provision of the ethics of journalism. The study found out that the publication and pictorial portrayal of Muhammadu Buhari as Aminu Jubril fell short of the ethical requirements for the practice of journalism; that the publication of nude pictures of women could only be justifiable in an extreme form of editorial of criticism or features and the publication of picture displaying the drawing of tattoo on the pubic area should be considered for specialised publication and advertisement or extreme media criticism. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that the conventional media sustain their sound gatekeeping processes that prevent unconfirmed stories and offensive pictures from passing through the mainstream media. The conventional media should up advocacies and