Photograph in “The Press”

Press, 29 November 1976, Page 16

Photograph in “The Press”

Sir, — I was disappointed to see "The Press” depart from its customary good taste by printing the photograph of a youth sentenced to life imprisonment. The boy will be paying the penalty for his crime for years to come, and it seems unnecessarily cruel to inflict further suffering on him and his family by this additional publicity. — Yours, etc.,

D. STOCKER. November 26, 1976.

Sir, — Once again on this morning’s front page of your paper, we, your readers, were subjected to a photograph which, in our estimation, could only be of interest to people who get their kicks from morbid curiosity. Over recent months there have been several instances of your paper including photographs which, if seen by the families or friends of the subjects, must cause a certain amount of! anxiety. Why

have you had to make this downturn? If it is to increase sales, what a way to go. — Yours, etc., V. McKIRDY, V. PALMER, B. STEWART, November 25, 1976. [We do not make judgments on news pictures of this kind with a view to “increasing sales”; nor do we take any satisfaction from the possibility that other persons will be further saddened by a photograph’s publication. But we are not displeased to know that concern and sympathy are aroused when a picture shows more of the reality of an event, and when a picture emphasises that it concerns people—not just names.— Editor]