Are Photojournalists and Reporters Parasites?

Question

Many are from well to do middle class backgrounds. They fly to poverty stricken areas to photograph starving kids so that they can sell stories and photos to make themselves richer and to make a name for themselves. After a time they slink back to middle class suburbia thousands of miles away from the people they exploited and to whome they never give a further thought.

So the question is. Are they modern crusaders for good or parasites looking to make a fast buck on the suffering of others.

Answer 1

No, clergymen are.

Answer 2

im a photographer. we wouldnt exist if the public,who buy our proucts, didnt have an insatiable appetite for sleaze and celebrity...

and most really good photographers are working class. they may have had wealthy parent, but that doesnt ensure talent.
and yes we all want to see our name as a byline. and we tell stories the world needs to hear, to see, and be made aware of. and financially, yes the money is good, but a decent camera is 3grand... decent lenses 6grand.. its not done on a mobile phone.

and the 10000 photo might only happen once a year... how many times did kennedy get shot, or the vietnamese kid covered in napalm, or the gunshot tot he head shot happen? once. photography is far more than just pressing a button. its a skill, and an artform, it educates and illuminates. and were all entitled to get paid. we all have the same bills to pay, the same costs. and we have a passion, to see what you will never see unless we show it to you. to capture for an instant, what wil forever more be history...

Answer 3

Though we need them to make us aware of the world that is past our own noses, I do feel people can be more kindhearted about it when cameras r not rolling. I feel if they r is going to do such a piece, then journalists and reporters should us their connections to find them help and they themselve though contribute and lend a helping hand. After all, they r their giving u a name, so u should give back to them. And not just show up with ur cameras, pencils and paper and then leave because u got what u wanted. Their gracious enough to show the world their weak, and venerable side. A lot of people feel guilty for the way they have to live their life, but if it means the hope for help, they'll go on camera to publicly admit their need for our aid. But their needs to be more respect and more aid from reporters and photojournalists to help them out the best they can just like us. But I have to add that I couldn't even imagine what reporters and photojounalist go though and all they see. We r human and often feel helpless to such sites. After seeing what journalist do and that, I really feel for them because after seeing all that, being in it, and having to go home and remember all the faces and stories they witnessed. Thats something they have to live with, We only read the stories writen and the photos taken and sent a few dollars here and their, but WE would never actually go to these places like reporters do. We like to keep our distance from such things. So its not really a matter of weather we feel they r good or parasites. They r just human like everyone else. And if it discuses u so badly that u have to label people of this perfection, well, my only question is, how much of a lending hand? do u give to the poverty stricken places?Do u go to visit these people? Or do u just drop a few dollars in the bucket on holidays then is convenient for u so u don't have to go out of ur way the help? If so then ur no better or worse than reporters that go there once for there stories, but the difference is, they actually go there, even if their is a motive for them. Don't through stones! If u want to help, then help wholeheartedly, not just on holidays. Don't sit and complain about what others r or r not doing. Think about what ur going to do. Other wise ur just a viewer of travesties just like the reporters, but at least we have reporters to literally show us whats going on... And at the very least to have some one complain about it! If ur worried about poverty then direct that energy and focus on them, do something to contribute and not on something that won't solve anything by putting down those who record this people and places!

Answer 4

More likely.
They look like team of pest control.
Always on the look out for the pest.
That make the mess out there.
So the pest controller can move in and sweep off the pest.
Luke 8.10,17
What do you think?

Answer 5

No, especially not those who work for independent media. Without them, we might never know what your current administration is up to. Has been journalists, lawyers and activists who have fought its wish to carry things out in secret - and against your Constitution.

Answer 6

Parasites who deceive themselves into thinking they are unbiased crusaders against evil.

Answer 7

It's changed, they used to show & report the facts.

It's the public who actually changed it.

We want sensational pics & news now. Crap, isn't it?

Answer 8

Entertainers. No more than that. Parasites is a very good description.

Answer 9

Photographers are a few letters away from pornographers and don't kid yourself they would not be there for 'the money shot.'

Answer 10

Overheard (by me personally) in a lift at a well-known tabloid newspaper:

"That story about the grandmother that was mugged and raped..."

"Yes?"

"Is that real or a spoof?"

"Oh that one's a spoof."

They're parasites and worse. Believe me.

Answer 11

What do you do for a living?