Why Photojournalism is Important: A Look at Gaza

If you have access to the media (social or otherwise) then you've undoubtedly seen a wave of brutal images from the war in Gaza. But what impact do these images, and by association the photojournalists behind them, have on our understanding of the war?

What is photojournalism?

Photojournalism is a vital form of news reporting that uses images captured by photographers to provide visual evidence of a situation. When it comes to conflict, more specialized photojournalists - war photographers - are sent to report.

Professional journalists are held to a set of ethics, morals and standards which aim to make them an impartial and reliable source of information. Journalists are expected to observe and not interfere with their surroundings, as this would create bias in their work. While every story and every picture have an 'angle', the goal of journalists is to inform the public in as neutral a fashion as possible.

Even non-interference can be controversial. Some famous photojournalists, such as South African photographer Kevin Carter, have experienced a public backlash for abiding by these ethical standards of non-interference when documenting human suffering. Photojournalists can find themselves caught between their natural impulse to help and their professional duty to report what they see. Often, they can do both.

Despite the often-horrific and extremely dangerous conditions journalists must endure, without their crucial work the public would have little knowledge of what was going on around the world.

In democracies, the media is known as the 'fourth estate' as it forms an essential part of the democratic system of checks and balances. The media informs voters so they can pressure leaders and hold them accountable for their actions.

How photographs impact our perspective of war

The old cliché' “a photograph is worth a thousand words” is true for a reason. As humans, we are capable of feeling what others feel, and one of the easiest ways for us to access these emotions is by seeing what others are experiencing. Photographs are transporters of emotion. They are momentary snapshots of life that, if taken by a trained eye, can capture an entire ocean of emotion in a single moment.

History has shown us how being exposed to images of war in the media has the power to shift national sentiment and change the course of history. The war in Vietnam was one of the first times where a huge number of images showing the horror of war were published around the world. In the United States in particular, students were so mortified by what they saw they launched mass protests against the war. And I'll bet that while you're reading this the image of Phan Thị Kim Phúc also informally known as “Napalm Girl” has entered your mind. Such is the power of the photograph.

Photo by Nick Ut

Earlier this year, another powerful image entered the catalogue of historic photographs that will likely be imprinted into the consciousness of generations to come. The photograph, captured by Palestinian photojournalist, Mohammed Salem, shows a Palestinian woman embracing the body of her deceased niece. It won the 2024 World Press Photo of the Year.

The photograph, while showing no faces and therefore no transference of emotion through facial expression, is haunting in its expression of grief for the loss of a child. Salem's photograph conveys a message of war and loss that is recognizable to most (if not all) people around the globe. And it does so in an instant.

Photo by Mohammed Salem

What's happening to photojournalists in Gaza?

To begin, let's take a look at the laws that surround journalism.

Journalists, photojournalists, and war photographers are under special protection in war zones, and are often seen wearing vests which identify them as press. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): “Under Articles 79.2 and 51.3 of Protocol I, journalists enjoy the protection afforded by international humanitarian law provided that they do not take a direct part in the hostilities…. It is only when a journalist takes a direct part in the hostilities that he loses his immunity and becomes a legitimate target. Once he ceases to do so, he recovers his right to protection against the effects of the hostilities.”

As is clearly stated, according to international humanitarian law, members of the press are protected and allowed to report on any situation - unless they break their stance on not interfering in the hostilities.

Unfortunately, this neutrality is increasingly ignored. Growing numbers of journalists covering conflicts are being targeted and killed. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), since October 7th 2023, the death toll of journalists in Gaza stands as follows (as of 5 August 2024):

• 113 journalists and media workers were confirmed killed: 108 Palestinian, 2 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese
• 32 journalists reported injured
• 2 journalists reported missing
• 52 journalists reported arrested
• Multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship, and killings of family members

Freedom of press and democracy

Freedom of the press or a free and independent press, is an indicator of a functioning, fair, and healthy democracy. According to Freedom House, a Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO) best known for political advocacy surrounding issues of democracy, political freedom, and human rights: “The ability of journalists to report freely on matters of public interest is a crucial indicator of democracy.”

In Israel, however, essential freedoms of the press have been spectacularly eroded.

Since the Hamas attack and massacre of October 7th 2023, there has been a tightening of media regulations in Israel and Gaza, with heavy restrictions being placed on media organisations inside Israel and the introduction of an Israeli-imposed ban on journalists entering Gaza.

According to the BBC, since the start of the war, Israel has banned journalists from entering Gaza and have only accepted a few requests for journalists to report on Israeli military affairs. These reports are said to be highly controlled, only allowing access to a very select area of tunnels which the Israeli military says are being used by Hamas.

In April this year, the Israeli government went a step further and banned Al-Jazeera. The ban was a result of a bill passed by the Israeli parliament which enables the restriction of press freedoms. According to the Times of Israel, the new law empowers the Prime Minister and Communications Minister to order the temporary closure of foreign media operating in Israel and confiscate their equipment, if considered to be “doing actual harm to state security”. This censorship of international media has had many ramifications, one of which is the bias it has created on reporting the war in Gaza. So where does this leave us?

Photo by cottonbro studio

When censorship leads to bias

With the international press ban in place, there has been little to no access to the Gaza Strip by foreign media. This includes journalists, photojournalists, correspondents, war photographers etc. “But who then is reporting on the war?” you may ask. The answer is that the bulk of what is broadcast by international news agencies such as CNN, The BBC, Al-Jazeera etc. are reports from Palestinian journalists.

This calls into question the narrative or perspective of the news we are receiving. From whose viewpoint are we seeing events? And how is this ban impacting our understanding?

Unfortunately, as a result of the press ban, we are now limited to a single perspective - in terms of nationality. We are only able to view the situation through the prism of 'local eyes'.

This in no way devalues or nullifies the news we are receiving, but it's important to be aware of the larger factors at play - particularly when it comes to media sources.

The role of social media in documenting the war in Gaza

An influential source of news on the war has been social media channels. However, this form of citizen journalism needs to be viewed with caution.

It is important to remember that while we can glean diverse perspectives and first-hand accounts recorded by civilians on smart phones, citizen journalists are not bound by the strict code of ethics to which professional journalists must adhere. Where professional photojournalists working for mainstream media outlets are held accountable for their work, and every photograph is fact-checked using precise methods, the same cannot be said for photos and videos shared by members of the public.

Photojournalists are custodians of the free press

A commitment to fair and free media, particularly in times of war, is paramount not only for a healthy democracy but for accurate and fair representation in the global media. Photojournalists must be protected as without their crucial work, we the public, would remain in the dark and unaware of many of the experiences of others around the world.

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Written by Katya Mulvaney | Katya is a brand creation and digital marketing specialist. She heads up marketing and communication here at LightRocket. If you subscribe to our emailer or follow us on social media, then you're probably already familiar with some of her work. She also never shies away from a good plate of pasta.

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