Photojournalism in War and Armed Conflicts

During the last decades, the presence of visual media has increased dramatically. However, very little empirical research has been carried out to determine the implication of the medium photograph as a visual information transmitter. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the characteristics of professional press photos that relate to war and armed conflicts and to examine the framing of victimhood. A thorough literature review as well as an iconographic interpretation of World Press Photos serves to ascertain data in order to permit answering the research questions. The World Press Photo Foundation is the subject of research as it represents the most prestigious international competition for press photography at present and thus acts as an agenda-setter. That highlights the implication of its decisions about professional photographs since its coverage of certain issues biases the international media coverage of the same. It also affects the development of professional photojournalism. In this context the meaning of photographs in today's visual media societies can be discussed.

Autorentext

In 1985, Jelka Ninja Below was born in Germany. She graduated from Vienna University in Austria in 2008, with a Bachelor degree in Journalism and Communication. In 2010, she has completed an international Master Programme in Social Sciences, Media and Communication, with a minor in Development Studies, at Uppsala University in Sweden.