It’s tough being the messenger on the day after a terrible event, an event so many have looked at in so many ways.
We hear it all the time: The media, in this case newspapers, have a democratic duty to inform and educate the community.
In newsrooms around the world, hard decisions are being made about what photographs to publish or hold from public view. This is a difficult process, and the graphic nature of these images — captured on U.S. soil – taken in the most emotional environment, has obscured matters.
The New York Daily News has made some very tough and controversial calls with their selection of images. Eric Meskauskas, Director of Photography, understands that and makes no excuses. The Daily News has published two images that have drawn particular criticism.
“Indeed, we did know that our images would disturb people,” said Meskauskas. “If we are afraid to use them now, when will we ever do so? This kind of war is the beginning of something new for America. Maybe it’s time to begin to show harsh reality.”
Toward this end, Meskauskas agrees with Sue Morrow, Director of Photography at the St. Petersburg Times, who says that the photojournalist’s responsibility is to get the picture. Editors must respect the thinking and subsequent decisions that are made on the scene. “I have two photographers there and I am concerned for them, about what they will see,” said Morrow.
“As the photo editor I care about keeping my people safe,” said Meskauskas, “and getting the best images for our readers. We don’t agonize about our decision. It is not the editor, it is the photographers who endure the ordeal and faces the trauma.
Meskauskas states emphatically that he trusts his staffers. They are the one putting their lives on the line. They deserve good decisions on the part of their editor.
The first controversial photograph that was widely used in newspapers around the country was provided by at least three sources. Susan Watts of the Daily News, Richard Drew of The Associated Press, and David Surowiecki of Getty Images. They all showed people falling to their deaths from the World Trade Center towers.
“This situation is about the real world, then again, I am not sure that a tabloid is in the real world,” said Meskauskas, his passion heard through the telephone. One photograph, widely used in newspapers around the country, was provided by The Associated Press. It showed a man jumping to his death from the north tower.
“Look, an incredibly disturbing thing happened and that is the truth of the matter,” explained Meskauskas. “We did not take this lightly for one moment, but we agreed to run both of these images. As a general rule we know that people see us a being gritty, but there were 20 or so people in the room when we made our decision.”
Ed Kosner, editor in chief of The News told the New York Times, “You can’t do the story without doing the story, it’s no time to be squeamish.” He was referring to one of the most graphic close up photographs ever published in America. The gruesome image was published on the Daily News website in a slideshow, and inside the late edition of the newspaper. It showed a severed and ideally formed hand.
Not since the Columbine, the Oklahoma City bombing or the crash of a helicopter in Mogadishu, Somalia, have newspaper editors had such a plethora of graphic and dramatic photographs available showing massive death and dismemberments of Americans. Over time we have had little trouble showing “the exotic” catastrophe: famine in Africa, natural disasters and war zones from Bosnia to the West Bank to East Africa.
Meskauskas stands by the decision to publish “tough” photos, and asks that we consider this: “This was a tragedy of epic proportions and if we (newspapers) are not going to show the horrible pictures now, when will we ever do so? Sure we did get some calls and they said that they were upset. But what all of those that don’t call, but are moved to do something about the situation and volunteer?”
