THE ABUSE OF PHOTOJOURNALISM IN THE MEDIA: CASE STUDY WOMEN

BY

APIO LUCY BMC/6201/41/DU

A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A BACHELORS DEGREE IN MASS COMMUNICATION OF KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

AUGUST 2008 DECLARATION

I, APIO LUCY declare that this project is my original work and has never been presented to any other university for award of any academic certificate or anything similar to such. I solemnly bear and stand to correct any inconsistence.

Signature

APIO LUCY

DATE: APPROVAL

This is to acknowledge that this Report has been under my supervision as a university supervisor and is now ready for submission.

Signature/ Date

MISS BYAMUKAMA SYLVIA

11 DEDICATION

This work is affectionately dedicated to my Sponsor William Innes B and

Wife Vicky and family for their support, patience and understanding during this period of study not forgetting all those who constantly wished me success.

l1l AKNOWLEDGEMENT

I also owe a lot of appreciation to all those ,Nho assisted me in carrying

out this research most especially my sponsors William Innes B and Wife

Vicky. I am grateful to my supervisor Miss Byamukama Sylvia who I i tirelessly ·1.:vent through my work and inspired me to dig deeper into the

core of the matter. Her kind criticism, patience and understanding,

assisted me a great deal. Ii I I am indebted to my friends Julius, Zing, Ann, Sylvia, Mill and Tom and t i the rest of the discussion group members who gave me encouragement r·

in time of difficulties. Thanks also go to all those lecturers who impacted

professionalism into my work. I[ I r! I wish to thank my family especially my Uncle Mr. John Paul Kinyera and I.~ Aunties for their love and inspiration during my stay in Kampala I International University (K.I. U). I Finally, I would like to thank all my respondents who participated in this I study within a short notice without which this work would not have been l( I possible. I

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i IV i I

i;.:: TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION ...... i APPROVAL ...... ii DEDICATION ...... iii AKNOWLEDGEMENT ...... iv TABLE OF CONTENT ...... v ABSTRACT ...... vii

CHAPTER ONE ...... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... l 1.1 BACKGROUND ...... 8 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ...... 12 1.3 HYPOTHESIS ...... 13 1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ...... 13 1.5 SIGNIFICANCY OF THE STUDY ...... 14 1.6 RESEARCH QUESTION ...... 14 1. 7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ...... :...... 15 1.8 RELATIONSHIP ...... 15

CHAPTER TWO ...... 16 LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 16 Theoretical Framework ...... 19 DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS ...... 20

CHAPTER THREE ...... 21 METHODOLGY ...... 21 3.1 Introduction ...... 21 3.2 Selection of study area ...... 21 3.3 Research design ...... 21 3.4 Research tools ...... 21 3.5 Procedure of data collection ...... 22

V 3.6 Data Analysis ...... 22

CHAP'I'ER FOUR ...... 23 PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS ...... 23 4.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 23

CHAP'I'ER FIVE ...... 25 SUMARY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS ...... 25 5. 1 CONCLUSION ...... 31 5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 32

BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 33 QUESTIONAIRE ...... 34

vi ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of abuse of photojournalism in the media. The specific objectives of the stud_y \Vere to show how photojournalism ethics should be applied when covering women's photography, highlight the facts that some of the portraits of women can conflict peoples morals in society and therefore suggest how to minimize this conflict and to explain how responsible journalism can be exercised so as to eliminate this problem. The methods used for data collection was questionnaires to the staff members of media centers covered. In chapter four, the findings were presented and interpreted in relation to the study objectives and research questions. While linking to the existing literature, results pictures showing the portrayals of women. Based on the findings it was clearly seen that both new vision and the daily monitor portray v.·omen in their photography as sex objects. The findings suggested recommendations that Women photography and photography in the print media in general should be practiced by photojournalists with at least a degree or diploma, so as to perpetuate irresponsible reporting; The print media both new vision and the daily monitor should reconsider public interests other than market or increased sales for their papers so that they are not tempted to publish controversial pictures about women without considering their ethical implications among other recommendations.

vii CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION Photography is one of the practices under Journalism in the print media. It generally refers to the telling a story with a picture, reporting with a camera or recording a moment that is news\vorthy.

Photography as a media has been accepted as a visual means of communication in the world .it has gone beyond the print media ,writers used to think that writing in journalism was the only important area of communication but photography in Uganda and the world is now taken as a powerful means of communication .

Photography is a common thing. Million of people shoot still or motion pictures so it seems strange when we consider that photography is one of the newest languages in this world.

For all intents and purposes, photography was introduced in 1839. At the time, it was a novelty to see the reproduction of photographs in news papers and magazines. Colors photography in every rudimentary form appeared in about 1910.

People were really fascinated by photography from the very first. Although we consider photography as it first appeared in 1839, it really evolved through a long and frustrating process. The camera existed long before there was any real use for it as a recording device. No one knows where the first camera was constructed but we know that Aristotle observed the images of a solar eclipse formed by lighting passing through small gaps in tree foliage. In effect, a pinhole image.

1 The first camera was probably constructed by the tenth century by Arab scholars. Roger Bacon referred to the camera obscura in the 1200s, possibly learning about it from the Arab writings in its earliest form. The camera obscura (meaning dark chamber) was a darkened room with a very small hole in one wall.

Giavani Battista Della described the camera obscura in 1558 , a conical hole that was installed in the wall of a darkened room and the image could be seen on a white screen.

Muno publication is one of the oldest newspapers in Uganda. It started its publication in 1911 as a Roman Catholic newsletter, established by the white fathers from France, the publication was in Luganda which later changed into a tabloid in the early 1920s. "Muno"refered to as (your friend) which was the longest surviving nev::spaper has among the first indigenous and independent paper \>.:ith no foreign inference when the paper began , it was not effective in the use of photographs . .it was full of cartoons and sketch drawing in the form of photographs.

The first pictures to appear in Muno was a portrait of Reverend father Bazilio which appeared in the 1927 on page 3 , and another picture of Msgr. Bierman of Nsambya v:hich appeared on 9 th march 1927.

However , in march 1931 , a pictorial supplements to the Gambuze , published the enthronement of a royal highness from Britain who was on a visit to Uganda to meet the kabaka Daiudi Chwa of Buganda and that of sir William Gower the Governor of Uganda then dominated the papers . This marked the beginning of using news pictures in the newspapers. On 20 December 1938, a picture of stanishlas Mugwanya appeared in a group photograph when he visited London in 1913 and 1948.

2 A picture of Mgr. Cabona which was taken infront of Rubaga cathedral together with members of the congregation proved the importance of photography.

In 1952 the picture of Mathias kingdom kigonya , the ex-mulamuzi , together with Bishop Godfrey , hit the front page of muno and in the same year , a picture of the late kabaka mutesa 11 \vho was making his birthday anniversary in 1953 taken from London where he had paid a visit to Queen Elizabeth to attend her enthronement anniversary was also used in Muno front page .

In the same year a picture of queen Nabagereka and the late kabaka mutesal 1 apppeared on 19 nov 1953 when they celebeated their 5th I anniversary of their marriage . I

II In 1967 , Muno published a pictorial of the celebration making ! Uganda's first independence on 9 october 1963 , the late President i I Obotes picture and the late President Nyerere Julius mwalimu of t I Tanzania were prominent. I

In 1962 the ministry of information and the broadcasting council I established a photographic dependence, by an act of parliament. The government then wanted all records of government activities kept when I the department was created. It was a fully -fledged department with all the facilities necessa1y for photography. I If Photojournalism meanwhile is genre journalism where a high proportion i

fl of pictorial presentation is used. It's a combination of words and picture I intended for reproduction that try to create an honest visual report of I what happened in the form of understandable to others viewing the I Iit picture. In view of this, although a picture is worth one thousand words, if,

3 ifl I ~ i I it's important to note that most photojournalism pictures are prone to misinterpretation if left unexplained.

History of Photojournalism

Since the turn of the last century has been pointed out es the year photography really gained foothold in print media), pictures have become one of the sources of information newspaper readers have grown to rely on. (Lebeck and Von Dewitz 2001) As technology improved and the introduction of graphical images and photographs into newsprint became possible, editors realized that photographs were important additions to their journalistic textual input. Fred Barnard, a writer for Printer's Ink, nailed the place of photojournalists firmly into history in 1921, by c01nmg the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words". (Stevenson 1948)

As technology continued improving and photojournalism slowly became more significant In terms of layout, photographs were more often than not the first thing people noticed about an article - even before headlines. (Hodgson 1998) The newfound love of graphical input on news pages first wave of photojournalists, some of \vhom became vvorld famous. Mathew Brady (1823-1896), Jacob Riis (1849-1914), Margaret Bourke-White (1904-1971) and Robert Capa (1913-1954) are but of a few of the pioneers who shaped the field of documentary photography and photojournalism in its early days.

After the initial impact of photographs 111 the print subsided, new publications appeared, focusing specifically on photojournalism as a form of journalism. Magazines such as Life, Picture Post and Look raised important issues in society almost exclusively through the art of stills images and image captions .

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4 The Images Come to Life

With the introduction of moving images, photojournalism took quite a punch: The newsreels being played in cinemas in the 1920s and 30s were seen as a dangerous competitor to stills photographers, but its threat was eventually brushed off, as people realized it could take weeks ! in some case even months before news stories made it to the cinemas, whereas photographs could appear m the newspaper within the same I week. (Goldberg 1991) I

All of this changed drastically with the invention of the tape--based (as opposed to film-based) cameras in the early 1950s ( Bellis 2003), when I news could be edited down and transmitted the same evening. Still, the I news photograph as a medium of art and communication kept growing: "During the 1960s, still photography and television news played off one another, boosting the power of images yet another notch" (Goldberg I

1991, p2 l 7). . Despite the fact that although "television news has it produced many memorable moments, photographs are more fully and t easily remembered" (Goldberg 1991, p218). Simultaneously, investigative i photojournalism has a possibility of being more in-depth than television. f This, ho;:ve\·er, costs money. And money is scarce in the \vorld of l hardnosed competition within the media. ' Things have changed since the early days of photojournalism The media I in general have undergone some significant changes. From being sources of reasonably unbiased public information, the current media climate at least for the largest media organizations - is that of a world where profits are the key priority. For smaller publications such as local and small regional papers, the question becomes less one of profitability and more one of survival.

s Perhaps because of this, the art of photography as a journalistic media "has been consigned to history because it is no longer regarded as an important medium of information for mass readership" (Lebeck & Dewitz 2001, p7) the pictures themselves, however, are still as important as ever. As Harold Evans puts it: "Everest is undeniably climbed, but we want to see the photograph of the man standing on top." (Evans 1978 p5)

We still find pictures - a great number of .them - in newspapers every day. The difference lies in who takes the pictures. Many publications, in particular smaller regional papers and the local papers, have done away with staff photographers completely, or have kept considerable fewer than the size of the publication would dictate. Consequently, these publications rely heavily on news photo agencies, public relations material and (to a lesser degree) freelance work. A fourth option that is becoming more and more common is the journalist going out on an assignment being equipped with a digital camera, taking some snaps during or after the interview.

A journalist who takes pictures vs. a Photojournalist

Photography and journalism, \vhile often being seen as the pair of horses pulling the chariot, that is newspaper production are completely different on many different levels. Photography as a profession is often placed in the same bin as painting, illustrating and other visual arts (Evans 1978), while journalism is more closely related to linguistics and academic work.

This difference is significant, as it ties in with the theories on usage of the brain. The left brain is linear, logical, sequential and verbal - containing all the points an editor would look for in a journalist. The right side of the brain, on the other hand, is holistic, nonverbal, intuitive and creative also which is a good characteristics of a journalist, but

6 arguabl_v far more important to a photographer. We all use both sides of the brain, but most people have a dominant side (MTSU 2002). A corollary of this is that most people \vill be better at taking pictures or researching and writing up stories. Practical experience has shown that - more often than not - brilliant journalists make appalling photographers and that the best photographers are nigh on illiterate. This means that editors have three choices: hire a good photographer who can write, hire a good \A.Titer who can take pictures, or hire somebody who is mediocre at both. The obvious choice is to choose somebody who can string some decent sentences together. The result? Photography suffers.

Good photographers feel when something is wrong about an exposure, and change the settings on their camer3.s accordingly. The camera becomes an extension of the eye, in a similar way unexperienced drivers don't have to think about when to change gears, and how an adept journalist doesn't have to think about how to write "skilled occupation" in shorthand. Or, back to the eloquence of the professional: "It is very easy to chase around with a little camera, shooting all over the map, and saying 'Oh, they can fix that in the darkroom.' But that's not the place for fixing. Photography is a creative medium, and the creating should done on the spot" (Bourke-White 1958, pl82).

Despite the fact that these words were written 45 years ago, they are still remarkably applicable: Digital technology has come far, but there are limitations to how much information that is viable to remove from or add to an image. In addition to this, there are all the ethical limitations: What can be done to an image that is to be passed off as 'the truth'?

Obviously, journalists are not stupid. Much like journalism, however, photography is a skill that ca_nnot be fully taught in courses and instruction manuals: "Electronic transmission and manipulation are a boon, as is the compact disc is a boon for music, but the disc needs Mick

7 Jagger or I\lozan, and the page needs the Don McCullins and the Eddie Adamses of this \\·orld as much as ever." (Evans 1978, p6) It is when the instructions and photography-rulebooks run out and intuition begins that a true photojournalist is born. This is a process that cannot be demanded or expected of e·:ery journalist It 1.1 BACKGROUND

Photojournalism is defined as a visual communication through a camera. It's a professional term for a photography conveying a news message. Photography or photojournalism is a compound word found in 1942 by Luthermolt, a professor of Journalism at the University of Missouri in the I United States. The goal of a photo Journalist is to provide a picture that tells us more than what we knew before in an ethical manner thus a photojournalist must produce pictures that conveys facts and Il i information intended for dissemination to readers of news products. The I I basic job of a photojournalist is therefore to record events as a visual f record of reality for the journalism for information. Il i

Photojournalism has played a greater role in creating social changes in society. A photograph is now considered the leader in telling the story. A I ph?tojournalist therefore is a professional who communicates through I I photographs. A photojournalist takes pictures which are more expressional in the sense that communication becomes easier towards ' the reader and more entertaining. In print media a news photograph I which is well presented could achieve and do more wonders than all the editorials put together. II ! I There is no better place to learn of the world than through the eyes of the t photojournalists however, photographs can reveal and record the aspects l I of nature. They explore structures in addition it provides us with social I and historical doclJments. If ~ t I 8 I F I ~ i A photojournalist uses the camera to give us pictures that provide information and sights about people's events and ideas. The photojournalists see and portray the world in visual terms.

News and features photos are truthful, informative and interesting. They have significance or impact. They can be educational or entertaining. Photographs reflect sensitivity and understanding. The picture story teller therefore is a master of his or her equipment, knowing just which I I lens shelter spread and pictures are appropriate for each shot. I A good picture 1s first a truthful portrayal of an event, It is a pictorial t record of the events which a photojournalist reports. A good photograph is usually interesting and informative and sometimes it's educational. It may be entertaining as well. A good photo has impact message. II I However in many instances, journalists have gone beyond acting according to these ethics of the media and those of photojournalism in It particular. This is mainly or especially seen when covering issues about t \Vomen or during photography of women.

Ii Most pictures in v,'hich images of women features in the print media are I offensive to people's morals. Women are always portrayed as sex objects. l I Take for example some images in the red paper tabloid publication, the monitor newspaper. These have often published photos of women which l portray them as people representing immorality. It's important that our II reporting always be balanced and comes in line with the way things are r really are. If our aim as journalist is needed to represent reality, we i should not remain in a vanishing world of describing women using less significance and ignoring the most significant characteristics. It I l

9 If such coverage of ·women in photography is emphasized, it means that women are only ne\VS worthy when they are in sensational incidents. As Brown ( 1999). suggests, the media are currently a powerful agent of socialization and can also be a powerful agent of change. Therefore, the images and message disseminated by the media cannot be ignored. There is therefore a need to re-address the situation of the portrayed of women, not only in photography but in women coverage in the media as a whole.

According to the book photojournalism principles and practice by Clifton, John whiting wrote in his book, photography in its function as a language, not only do May blessings accrue to photography but also may reposition. It's thus important to emphasize the issue of responsible journalism when dealing with women among other areas in photography.

Women are often victims of violence; they have no part in starting and having no possibility of ending. Women targeted for abuse is often manifested as sexual torture, but exposing such in newspapers like for example the cases of Kandida Lakony. 11th may 1999, in the monitor news paper was a humiliation to all women.

The tabloid red paper during the period 2001-2004 exposed an imaginable pictures of women in sexual acts regardless of their ages .This abuse have at one time gone beyond thus making a lot of public calls to the government to come up and burn the tabloid publication.

Besides, the Red paper, Monitor newspapers, there are a number of tabloid, Uganda papers that are still exposing obscene picture of women. The likes of black mambas, kamuyune among other. Have continuous ,abuse the practice of photojournalism through obscene publications of women pictures. Nothing good is published in these pictures except

IO sexual seductive pictures. These abuses have continuously affected women as a \:vhole.

Photojournalists should not only emphasis the wrong; they should be able to drmv a line bet\\·een what is right and what is good and bad. As human beings, they have the conscience and as professionals, they have obligations and responsibilities. Therefore they must make sure that their obligations and conscience are not haunted while covering women issues and their general reflection to the society.

t Since the media is a mirror of the society, they should not publish i images or pictures of women in the media that is offensive to people's morals. l l It's true that some people may put up a question that should news not be covered because women will be humiliated? But it should be noted I lt that such issues show the irresponsibility on the side of journalists. } Such issues are antagonistic to women's welfare and hence portray a sense of moral irresponsibility on the side of the journalist. They are I contrary to people to cer:sor v,•hat good is for the consumption of the society. I The ways in which women are presented, misrepresented or under - represented in the print media as a whole strongly affect peoples motion I of a women's place as it is and society believes it ought to be. II The study therefore suggests that change can be and should be made to \ reverse the abuse of photojournalist through the negative portrayals of women in photography in the media. This serves to give a: strategic thinking about this problem which provides a solution. the abuse of photojournalism th.rough negative photographic portrayal of women can Ii ! I It 11 i

I! only be solved if there is a general a av,:areness within our society, and a among the people to demand for changes \vhich \\·ill in turn portray \vomen positively as important, respectable and appreciated instead of being portrayed negatively as sex object, seductive, immoral, so that women photography in the media can be credited and embraced.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The study shows that there is subsequent abuse of photojournalism in the media especially on women who are portrayed as sex objects, seductive people and immoral in nature. Women have been victims of stereotypical explanations in the media for along time. In the print media, studies have ranged from the portrayal of women photography in magazines to newspapers. This shows that women are abused through photography in the print media and the practice of photojournalism is as well being abused.

Photography of women in the media is being used as a marketing strategy to target readers and advertisers so as to increase sales of the paper. This owners of the media institution (print) believe that using sex is an element that sales the papers.

By conveying the impressions about world priorities, directing attention, selecting among issues and problems, the media tells us who and what is important. However, the media especially newspapers sometimes falsely or negatively represented the actual experience of the women in the society.

Most photojournalist have to be objective and fair , and they believe that a seductive sexual picture is one that sells , not considering the implications it might have on the person involved and the general public The possible reason for this 1s largely because most of the

12 photojournalists v,e m the print media like the monitor newspaper and the nev,: vision are only talented but not trained professionals.

Even the editors responsible for choosing the pictures to be published are mostly men and rarely women; hence the news contents in print media cannot realistically and adequately meet special problems, needs hence, leading to the negative portrayal of women.

Press photography is therefore to be guided by photojournalism ethics, professionalism and responsible journalism when exercising this task, or else women will continue to be portrayed negatively in photography in the print media.

1.3 HYPOTHESIS Editors and photojournalists are interested in covering women's issues that are offensive because these increase sales for their papers.

There is lack of responsible journalism, objectivity and fairness when journalists are covering women issues in photography.

1 The is to be guided by the following specific objectives

l To show how photojournalism ethics should be applied when covering women's photography.

2 Highlight the facts that some of the portraits of women can conflict peoples morals in society and therefore suggest how to minimize this conflict.

13 3 To explain ho\Y responsible journalism can be exercised so as to eliminate this problem. I 4 To analyze the role of photojournalism to the public taking \vomen as I the case. Study and explore how photojournalism can be best l • exercised for better results. i

5 To defend women's rights to privacy and advocate for more recognition of women in society through gender sensitivity. I l 1.5 SIGNIFICANCY OF THE STUDY 1 The study defines the roles of photography in the media and suggests how this role can best be exercised especially in women photography. The analysis has revealed how women are portrayed negatively.

2 The study is significant in that its useful and meaningful to editors of the print media and photojournalist in particular , who have now been equipped with relevant knowledge on how to improve or practice responsible journalism, especially when exercising women photography

3 The study is significant in that it stimulates other theoreticians into investigating further issue of women who have been portrayed in the print media which exposes them to humiliation , and eventually to alleviate the problem

1.6 RESEARCH QUESTION The study is to be guided by the following research questions I _what is considered the actual role of photojournalist in the media? 2 What do photojournalist consider important and newsworthy about women photog:r.aphy?

14 3 Are you avvare that some of the photographs published really intervene in ,vomen's privacy and actually humiliate them? 4 How has the public interest influenced the photography of vlomen in the print media like the Red paper tabloid, Monitor or New Vision respectively? [ 5 How are you planning to solve the abuse of photojournalism especially I as regards to the negative portrayal of women in news and I photography 6 What area of women issues 1s usually preferred 1n news and I; photography and why?

II 1. 7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ' The research will be carried out in Kampala I I i 1.8 RELATIONSHIP I Photography is a universal language for photos. Photography is one of I the practices under journalism in the print media which refers to telling a story with pictures. Ii i Through photography, photojournalism informs us, motivates us and I' gives us. facts and firs:: looks. These are non fiction pictures created in I I reality. I I News photography is a part of photojournalism and publications photography includes the second half of the word journalism. I Photojournalism is the genre of journalism when a high proportion of I IJ pictorial presentation is used. Thus it's a combination of two mediums t I words and pictures. I I ! 15 i CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Different scholars are studying the issues relevant to the study of the portrayal of vwmen in photography in the print media I

According to Greg Lev,1is (1995) m his book the nature of photojournalism. He urges that while most photographers produce pictures for private use, a photojournalist must produce pictures that I: convey facts and information intended for dissemination to readers of news products. The basic job of a photo journalist is therefore to record events as a visual reality for the benefit of those who depend on journalism for information. In his book Greg says that photojournalism pictures are non fiction, but created in reality with the intention of recording and reproducing facts for the benefit of news production.

He says photojournalism is very important as a journalism genre because human beings are basically a visual species than a verbal one .photojournalism uses universal based on our heart the treatment of women, men cognitive facilities whereby a· chinese or Vietnamese will make sense of reality depicted in a given pictures as a karamojong in the north - eastern Uganda would .its also instructive to note that in a country like Uganda where the biggest section of the population is illiterate or semi- literature , photojournalism becomes a very important means of communication .

Greg further says that photojournalism is a genre of journalism where a high proportion of picture presentation is used. It's a combination of words and pictures intended for reproduction that try to create an honest visual report of what happened in a form understandable to others

16 v1ewmg the pictures. In v1ev-.' of this a picture rs worth one thousand v,.rords , its is important to note that most photojournalism pictures are prone to misinterpretation if left un explained. That is why it is crucial for a photojournalist to master the use of words using a caption, to explain what has been captured in p:.ctoriate format.

In 1974 a UNESCO study done in western Europe noted that treatment of women in British newspapers showed fewer \vomen than men appearing as politicians , professionals and figures , women were more portrayed as sex objects and as supportive wives and mothers . that the most frequently projected images of women were , the efficient secretary , the model and devoted mother ( Gallagher) .

According to Clifton ( 1980), the most powerful form of communication is the photograph. The still photo transcords all language quickly, a picture is worthy a thousand words. It shows how indifferent our society is to one another considering Clifton definition and explanation of a photograph is the same as reading a thousand words. In other words, one gets to know even more than what the photographers intends to about that This shO\vs that if a woman 1s portrayed in_ a photograph 8.S sex symbol, it will affect all women.

The media portrays women in the sexist manner which brings sexist stereotypes. Women have been defined, labeled and stereotyped as mother and wife, infantile and incompetent, seductive and immoral, non persons and nonentities.

In Tanzania , 1986 study on the coverage of women in Uhuru newspapers and the lines daily news showed that for the last three months , women who hit the headlines are those who steal , murder , peddle drugs an@ narcotics or brews illicits liguor { mtambalike , 1986) .

17 Women are portrayed as house \Vives, decorative , a sort of sexy washing machine. in Mexico , for example , women are portrayed as either the soul of the homes or as sex object . In ivory coast women are renown for their charms, beauty and house keeping

In the Philippines, studies of newspapers found v,romen · inevitably over represented in advertisements for personal or home use and as decorative element in advertisements for luxury items such as cigarettes, liquor, restaurants and vehicles. The findings also produced the usual dependent and secondary roles assigned to women compared with those ascribed to men (Gallagher 1981 :68)

Payne (1967) argues that people are thinking of the same thing when discussing newspaper photography. He says that there are some of basic changes going in the news paper business and that because newspapers are changing, newspapers photography is also changing. This is actually seen in the New Vision as well as the daily Monitor publication, example inserts of y,;_·omen's various topics on \\:omen issues such ?-S fashion and design among others which is all covered by photojournalists. Therefore photography changes as women issues change.

Prevalent news values define most women and their problems as not newsworthy. As the bait through which products are advertised , women are exploited in terms of their sexual and physical experience, for example a study done in the USA , analyzing photo which appeared in the Washington post and los Angles Times , showed that women are primarily portrayed as spouses, socialites, and entertainers. By however

18 men appeared m nev,:s photos overwhelmingly as politicians, professionals and sports figures.

Looking at the new vision as well as the monitor, in comparison \vith the US media, most women issues appear in social events than in political events.

Goldberg (1991) states that photography has profound impact on our way of life. as a matter of fact as early as in 1900, it was said that the daily press advertisement , posters, scientific literature, the popular lecture decoration and now photography , not to speak the coming of colored photography have generally contributed to what probably is the new mode of pictorial thoughts.

Adena young (Feb. 2008) noted that as w~ approach the 21 st century , we must be aware of the significant contributions we make to our society . though we continue to move far and farther away from the gender dichotomy, we must also recognize that we are affected by our environment and as long as women are put forth as being less

competent men , J on appearance , there will continue to be negative portrayal of women

':ramework Dependent Variables independent variables • Poor ethical standards in photo 11,.. journalism IP" • Publishing pictures that • Lack of responsible Humiliate women journalism ,

19 DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS

Photojournalism Refers to as a visual communication through a camera.

Photography - Refers to the process of taking photographs

Women - Refers to the female sex of the human race ·

Print media - Refers to the media that uses publication of printed information for public consumption examples magazines, and newspapers.

20 I CHAPTER THREE t I METHODOLGY

3.1 Introduction II The methodology used in this research study was contently analysis. This research showed a systematic and quantitative description of how I print media use photography as a mean of communication in reference to women hence going against their professional ethics of journalism and interference m women's pnvacy. The research used the prominent II, newspapers m Uganda thus the nevvvsion and the daily monitor If publication as its basis of reference of the study. Data had also to be I analyzed from some copies of the monitor as well as the newvision I pictures of women abuse ) . I

I( I Personalities like Mr John kakende of the new v1s1on (political desk t editor) reporter Milton Opolot and photojournalist John Nsimbi of the lI daily monitor have also put in their points of discussion. l I The research was only limited to the content analysis of photography of women and their portrayal in the print media. I

3.2 Selection of study area The study was conducted in Kampala where the head office of the new vision and the monitor publications are located for easy accessibility. l 3.3 Research design I This was conducted using a cross sectional survey research design. This is because it's to involve different categories of respondents namely the editors, reporters, and photographers. I I 3.4 Research tools I

21 t• I l I The research used questioners (samples attached) as the research tool to establish response from the respondents. The research also presented samples of attached photographs published in the new vision or the monitor publications respectively.

3.5 Procedure of data collection Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Secondary source was collected from libraries, the archives· of the publications. Primary data was collected fro1n self administer questionnaires. Both qualitative and quantitative data was analyzed.

3.6 Data Analysis The research collected all the questionnaire and responses to each item in the questionnaire by the subject recorded.

22 CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS

4.0 INTRODUCTION This chapter specifically focused on the New Vision and the Daily Monitor newspaper publication as the major leading print media in Uganda. It focused on the portrayal of women in pictures. It analyzed the impact of photojournalism as regards to women. Basically how they (photojournalist) abuse the use of women pictures ... It also analyzed the factors that have led to the negative portrayal of women in the print media. This analysis is based on data collected from the new vision and the monitor publication respectively May 2002-may 2003 in the monitor Category

Month Political Social Economic May 5 20 4 June 20 20 9 i Jury i 17 i 18 7 August 24 40 15 September 18 25 11 October 15 28 5 November 5 17 3 December 10 19 8 January 27 40 20 February 17 33 10 March 12 22 8 April 33 50 20 May 5 53 7

23 4.1 Table NO. I. Pictures showing the portrayal of women, between 2002 to may 2003 in The New Vision

I Category Month j Political Social ! Economic I I May 40 166 40 June 40 140 23

Jury 56 , 100 I 20 August 33 120 30 September 45 98 32 October 26 100 24 November 25 84 22 December 55 121 33 January 38 122 29 February 40 140 31 March 20 138 41 April 53 99 28 May 56 120 40

In both tables, , it shows- the most covered events in the new vision and the daily shows the social events as the most covered with the: highest taking 53 in the daily monitor and 166 in the newvision between 2002- 2003 . According to Daivd Katende photo of the new vision ,

24 SUMARY FINDINGS

This chapter shows the summary, conclusions and recommendations from the finding and observations in line with the observation of the study drawn, from the research topic of the abuse of photography in the media, case study women. Basic concern is about photojournalists covering, reporting about women truthfully and responsibly without bias in an ethical manner.

The role is about women photography in the print media, the challenges facing journalists in finding proper or unoffending manner of portraying women in the print media.

Basing on finding in chapter four, it's clearly seen that both new vision and the daily monitor portray women in their photography as sex objects.

This below photo exclusively shows the interest of this photographer on the appearance of this woman in regards to her exposing her thighs. She unknowing could have been just in her own personal business.

25 A woman exposes thighs

,/<~.:~-~: / ··\ \ ./ \' ,r / \\,.,

Source: Kakanda David, Photojournalist, the New Vision,

26 To date, the print media, both the new vision and the daily monitor, have been able to increase the number of vrnmen pictures in their publications. However it's noted that the daily monitor has in the past being an independent news paper on many occasion portrayed women qualitatively other than professionally. This means that the portrayal of women in photography is increasing negative in the daily monitor. How ever, the new vision has tried to be fair and objective in portraying women issues as ccmpared to the daily monitor. The daily monitor publishes pictures that are of the company's interest to enhance the companies' performance and developments.

Looking at this view critically, it's very obvious that the paper or the editors and the photojournalists are interested in covering women's issues that are offensive because they help their paper sell too much. It should be noted therefore that there is nothing like responsible journalism in The daily monitor way of covering women's issues in society. Increasingly and improving the company's sales through the wholesale production of humiliating and of women is unethical non professional and naked exploitation of their bodies.

The generalizations published by the monitor endorse stereotypes about women, and in turn are an embodiment of humiliations to all women for example the photo of Candida being shaved by men in military uniform. This also portrays women as homogenous group and disregards the significance of their differences because only the unifying qualities attributed to them are exclusively focus on .Because of this the public may take it for granted, the earlier ideologies about women. The media are also agent of change and should therefore not change people's

27 attitudes by misleading them but rather by enlightening them about I! what is right and wrong.

Army man shaves women (this photo in particular raised a lot of public outcry from the moment it was published) and many felt humJiated

Army men shave women

I i I

Ij I I l ~ i Thi,, picture was brouJ[ht to The l',1onitor by someone u:ho claimed to haue la hen it in Gulu barrachs earl i _rea~ without being noticed: Rccettl days hrJt.'C seen who! !ot't!l.v .·my is r('tt('U·t·d frn:.ion. pro:..:ohed l,y ~"ome state ope l lo disrupt the c:'lm !/w.l was rdurning lo the region, · Source: Adriko Jimmy: Photo Editor, the New Vision I It was found also found out that most controversial pictures about i women portrayed them as defenseless, sex objects, objects for men's pleasure ,housewives and generally women are found in soft news areas . I l For example the daily monitor use the pictures of a rally fan, described I her as having peasant tendencies because she watched a Kampala rally, ~

28 I l ~• i i This rally fan attracted the photographer's attention because part of her breasts was kind of exposed as she as she relaxes. According to john Hsimbi, the daily monitor tries to picture which are of interest to the company. Photographers cover stories of prostitutes who sell themselves for a living, women on the streets to social goers .all their pictures is used as a tool to sell their publication.

Rally fan relaxes

Source: Nsimbe John: Photojournalist, the Daily monitor

29 It \vas also found that most of the photojournalists are not trained. They do not knm:v the ethical values of photojournalism and do not also knmv hmv to deal conscience and obligations when dealing with issues concerning \vomen.

It should be noted that responsible journalism needs professionalism whereby journalists should know and be able to perpetuate careless reporting by following a reporter's guide which include accuracy, attribution, verification, balance, fairness, objectivity, clarity human respect and responsibility. All this can be done without negative portray of women in photograph in the print media.

The cost of acqu1nng, handling and maintaining the machinery for printing photograph is also very high. Even the changing technology is very difficult to cope with because a few journalists are trained and able to participate so this also delays the process of printing and publishing. Both new vision and the daily monitor have two methods available to circulate their news papers.

These include: • Producers-agent-customers • Producers -customers.

30 5. 1 CONCLUSION This study indicated that women photography in both the new vision and the daily monitor deserves professionalism. Much as the role of journalists is to reflect society as it is through the watchdog role, it's on the other hand very importance to respect people's morals and values through practicing responsible journalism.

Editors and photographers need not to consider the sales at the expense of women's reputations. They should be able to separates news and opinion; A comprehensive account of news is not enough, It's no longer to report the fact truthfully .it now necessary to report the truth about the fact.

The print media should not assume that two haft truths make a truth, but should seek the whole through giving representative pictures of the constituents group in society.

The new vision's portrayal of women in photography could be described as fair and balanced , while the monitor's portrayal of women's in photography needs to be re-examined and improved .women's photography in the print media should be approached professionally and responsively rather than abusively.

31 5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

After analyzing the trend taken by the nev,.r vision and the daily monitor's portrayal of ,vomen in photography the study recommends the following;

1. Women photography and photography in the print media in general should be practiced by photojournalists with at least a degree or diploma, so as to perpetuate irresponsible reporting.

2. The print media both new v1s10n and the daily monitor should reconsider public interests other than market or increased sales for their papers so that they are not tempted to publish controversial pictures about women without considering their ethical implications

3. Photojournalists should not concentrate only in urban areas when covering women issues, but should also venture into rural areas to covering more women issues that are newsworthy.

4. The media industry should be encouraged m trammg of more journalized so as to increase on the number of reporters who can cover news from different areas of the country as well as different fields concerning women so as to cater for the increasing number of the readers in the country.

5. Women should avoid exposing themselves in public, in sensitive styles as centre of attraction. Appearing like this in public would attract journalists to cover them, since once they are found in public, there can't be any cause to say that journalists have intervened in their pnvacy.

32 Bellis (2003) The_h_is_____ t ___ o_rv ___ o_f_v_1_· d_e_oc..__a _____ n_d~_r_e_la ___ t-'-e-'d-"-- ...... in~n'---'-o_v--'--a=t1c..;:. o=n=-s Berelson, Bernard, Content Analysis in mass communication research: New York: the Free pre~s, 1952

Bourke White ( 1958) photojournalism now and tomorrow

Clifton C Edon, photojournalism Principle and practices ( 2nd Edition ) Wm.C Brown company publication

Dorothy ,A Mbilinyi. Culhbert Omoric (eds) Gender Relations and women's images in the media , 91996)

Gallagher, Margaret , The portrayal of women in the media. UNESCO . Paris 1979

Greg_Lewis , The nature of photojournalism (1995)

Smith Schuneman R . Photographic communication Focal Press

Payne L .Getting started 1n photojournalism, USA, America's photographic Book publishing Co inco. New York 1967

United Nations. The state of the world's women 1985 Oxford: New in tern a tionalist

33 APPENDIX A: QUESTIONAIRE I LUCY APIO hereby do declare that this question \vill remam I confidential. It is not for any other use other than for academic purpose. Ii This questionnaire is for the partial fulfillment towards my award of the bachelor degree in mass communication at KIU. \ PART A I' SEX (a) Male c=J (a) Female C=:J

AGE

(a) 15-30 C=:J (b) 31-40 C=:J

(c) 23 -30 C=:J (d) 40-50 C=:J

MARRIAGE STATUS

(a) Marriage r:=J (b) Single C=:J

RELIGION

-(a) Catholic C=:J (b) Protestant

{c) Muslim (d) others (specify) CJ

EDUCATION LEVEL

None Primary C=:J

Secondary CJ university CJ

34 PARTB

Do you have any kind of mass media organization in your community?

Yes No

If yes specify

1...... •...... •...... •..•....••.••.••••••.••••.•.•.•••

11......

111 ......

Do you have children?

Yes No c=J

If you have children, how do they perceive any kind of picture of women published in the media?

Has the media changed or influenced your test on photography

Yes No

If yes ......

•••••••• ...... J""......

35 I

\; l PARTC

What do photojournalist consider as important and newsworthy about I women Photography? \ I I

II

Are you aware that some of the photographs published really intervene in I women's privacy and actually humiliate them? I

I~· i

It

lI Is the use of women (pictures) as a market strategy fair to women consider the cultural norms of the African women?

i I" lI 1 I H9w has public interest influenced photography in print media? I

...... ;e...... t i i,· i 36 i el!t i' i i Hmv are vou planning to solve the problems of the abuse of photojournalism especially c=i_s regards to the negative portrayal of women in news and photography?

What area of women issues is really proffered in news and photography and why?

;..

37 I APPENDIX B: TIME BUDGET I I ACTIVITY i TIME AND DATE DURATION l I i I I I I Selecting topic 15th Sept- 1st Oct 2007 2 Week I l th i Chapter One 3rd Oct- 15 Oct 2007 2 Weeks l I Chapter two 20th Oct-05th Nov 2007 2 1/2 Weeks Chapter three 06th Nov-15th Nov 2007 11/2 Weeks I ( Printing and binding 20th Jan-08nd July 2008 11/2 Weeks

th th I Submission 05 Aug -30 Sept 2008 11/2 Weeks t I Total 2 Months

t I; l If I I

lI I I

II ~ I 38 I ~ it, 5

Iff, I> ~ it -~ I ITEM i QUANTITY AMOUNT l -----~-~i I Stationary ! One ream of papers, I I j 6pens, one clip board 13,700

Transport j To various research i centers 40,000

Lunch and supper For 8 days 25,000

Breakfast For 8 days 10,000

Binding 4 booklets 50, 000/=

Printing 4 booklets 40,000/=

Miscellaneous 10,000 10,000/=

188,700/=

39