+1 Unemployed: Reuters editor crops photos painting activists in positive light

[Cogburn]

Did Reuters Crop a Photo to Remove a Peace Activist's Weapon?

Media (http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/#) | Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 9:05:59 am PDT
A Turkish newpaper has released photos taken by the “peace activists” (http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/GaleriDetay.aspx?cid=36575&p=1&rid=2) aboard the Mavi Marmara, showing them attempting to take injured Israeli soldiers hostage.
Here’s one of the pictures; notice the knife held by a “peace activist” in the lower right corner:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/ZZ080932F7.jpg
And here’s the same photo as released by Reuters earlier today:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/ZZ77D1BB3D.jpg
That’s a very interesting way to crop the photo. Most people would consider that knife an important part of the context. There was a huge controversy over whether the activists were armed. Cropping out a knife, in a picture showing a soldier who’s apparently been stabbed, seems like a very odd editorial decision.
Unless someone was trying to hide it.
And this would not be the first time that Reuters has been caught altering photos (http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/21956_Reuters_Doctoring_Photos_from_Beirut) for propaganda purposes.
(Hat tip: KT.)
UPDATE at 6/6/10 10:30:02 am:
The Associated Press published the picture too — without cropping it: The Associated Press: Turkish group releases photos of Israeli soldiers (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/slideshow/ALeqM5jVq5_qVfEU7G8sQDbjpN64rMmdtQD9G5TC3G0?index= 0&ned=us).



Another Cropped Reuters Photo Deletes Another Knife - And a Pool of Blood

Media (http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/#) | Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 3:25:19 pm PDT
OK, come on now. I mean, really.
One picture cropped to remove a knife might be explained as incompetence or a simple mistake.
But now we have two pictures from the “peace activists” that were cropped by someone at Reuters to remove knives in the hands of the activists, as they attempted to take soldiers hostage.
Reuters has published (http://www.daylife.com/photo/04GyfwE9WH76j?q=gaza) this picture from the activists:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/20100606ReutersCropped.jpg
The picture is a cropped version of this photo from the IHH website (http://www.ihh.org.tr/uploads/10/06/06/20/e87/yarali-asker-kaynak-ihh-5.jpg) (IHH is the Islamist group whose members rioted aboard the Mavi Marmara):
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/20100606ReutersUncropped-sm.jpg
What did the Reuters photo editor crop out? A big knife and a big pool of blood.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/20100606ReutersCropSection.jpg
UPDATE at 6/6/10 4:20:27 pm:
And it gets worse. I took the photo into Photoshop and increased the exposure to lighten the dark areas, and discovered that they didn’t just crop out the knife and blood — they also cropped out another badly injured Israeli soldier lying on the floor.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/20100606ReutersCropSection2.jpg

[Eyeforalie]

Ahhh the wonders of making Art a profession. :)

[egg]

Well, maybe it's not Israel that wants to start a war.

Gc8h83Ea1Xs&feature=player_embedded

[hp]

A little bit of a let down about reuters. I am not surprised which is sad.

[egg]

A little bit of a let down about reuters. I am not surprised which is sad.

At least you know they're not a zionist propaganda machine. They're someone else's propaganda machine.

[hp]

At least you know they're not a zionist propaganda machine. They're someone else's propaganda machine.

The underdog?

[egg]

The underdog?

Nah, someone who wants things worse, I think.

By the way, HP... check out the "ISn't that special thread." I added something to it I think you'll dislike. It explains a lot, if you believe in conspiracies.

[WITCH HUNT]

Did Reuters Crop a Photo to Remove a Peace Activist's Weapon?

Media (http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/#) | Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 9:05:59 am PDT
A Turkish newpaper has released photos taken by the “peace activists” (http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/GaleriDetay.aspx?cid=36575&p=1&rid=2) aboard the Mavi Marmara, showing them attempting to take injured Israeli soldiers hostage.
Here’s one of the pictures; notice the knife held by a “peace activist” in the lower right corner:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/ZZ080932F7.jpg
And here’s the same photo as released by Reuters earlier today:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/ZZ77D1BB3D.jpg
That’s a very interesting way to crop the photo. Most people would consider that knife an important part of the context. There was a huge controversy over whether the activists were armed. Cropping out a knife, in a picture showing a soldier who’s apparently been stabbed, seems like a very odd editorial decision.
Unless someone was trying to hide it.
And this would not be the first time that Reuters has been caught altering photos (http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/21956_Reuters_Doctoring_Photos_from_Beirut) for propaganda purposes.
(Hat tip: KT.)
UPDATE at 6/6/10 10:30:02 am:
The Associated Press published the picture too — without cropping it: The Associated Press: Turkish group releases photos of Israeli soldiers (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/slideshow/ALeqM5jVq5_qVfEU7G8sQDbjpN64rMmdtQD9G5TC3G0?index= 0&ned=us).



Another Cropped Reuters Photo Deletes Another Knife - And a Pool of Blood

Media (http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/#) | Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 3:25:19 pm PDT
OK, come on now. I mean, really.
One picture cropped to remove a knife might be explained as incompetence or a simple mistake.
But now we have two pictures from the “peace activists” that were cropped by someone at Reuters to remove knives in the hands of the activists, as they attempted to take soldiers hostage.
Reuters has published (http://www.daylife.com/photo/04GyfwE9WH76j?q=gaza) this picture from the activists:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/20100606ReutersCropped.jpg
The picture is a cropped version of this photo from the IHH website (http://www.ihh.org.tr/uploads/10/06/06/20/e87/yarali-asker-kaynak-ihh-5.jpg) (IHH is the Islamist group whose members rioted aboard the Mavi Marmara):
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/20100606ReutersUncropped-sm.jpg
What did the Reuters photo editor crop out? A big knife and a big pool of blood.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/20100606ReutersCropSection.jpg
UPDATE at 6/6/10 4:20:27 pm:
And it gets worse. I took the photo into Photoshop and increased the exposure to lighten the dark areas, and discovered that they didn’t just crop out the knife and blood — they also cropped out another badly injured Israeli soldier lying on the floor.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pictures/20100606ReutersCropSection2.jpg



That is very interesting Cog. I am glad you posted it.

There is a obvious question here that no one seems to be asking, which is;

Why run the blockade? If it was really about easing a "humanitarian crisis", wouldn't the Palestinians want to ensure that the supplies get through? If the Israelis were as merciless as the Palestinians claim, why risk them sinking those ships?

Since the blockade started, the U.N. and International Red Cross/Red Crescent has overseen the delivery of thousands of tons of supplies. All of them delivered by truck to the front doorstep of the Palestinians in the "occupied territory." Aside from inspections at various checkpoints, it was unfettered access. Coincidentally, the start of the blockade marks the beginning of a period of decreased rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza and the West Bank.

I will ask it again, Why run the blockade?

[Lexion]

I will ask it again, Why run the blockade?

It makes news.

[MrPenny]

It's provocative.

[egg]

It makes news.

Hey, you smart.

Now, go drink some visine and report back to us.

[MrPenny]

Of course, there is also the argument made that Israeli officials often let aid sit on docks for interminable periods of time....sometimes causing food stuffs to spoil or rot. It is also suggested that they like to bar many building supplies on the grounds that it can be made into weapons....pipe and structural metal for instance.

[MrPenny]

Now, go drink some visine and report back to us.

Huh bartender? Can I get a wedge of lime with that Colon Blaster please?

[egg]

Of course, there is also the argument made that Israeli officials often let aid sit on docks for interminable periods of time....sometimes causing food stuffs to spoil or rot. It is also suggested that they like to bar many building supplies on the grounds that it can be made into weapons....pipe and structural metal for instance.

I wouldn't be surprised.

[Cogburn]

Reuters has done dumb shit in the past, but each time it was linked back to a specific individual and that individual was removed.

The "production model" water powered car in Japan is a story that comes to immediate mind.

This is just... ugh.

[WITCH HUNT]

Of course, there is also the argument made that Israeli officials often let aid sit on docks for interminable periods of time....sometimes causing food stuffs to spoil or rot. It is also suggested that they like to bar many building supplies on the grounds that it can be made into weapons....pipe and structural metal for instance.

You are absolutely correct Mr. Penny. The Israelis also confiscate the belongings of people who they deem to be giving aid to Hamas/Hezbollah. From Cars to businesses. They also bulldoze the homes that are used as cover for rocket attacks and build "settlements" to use as bargaining chips in the "peace process".

I am not defending either side. I am just trying to get people to think about the things in the periphery. As they say, "The Devil is in the Details."

[Lexion]

I am not defending either side.

In my eyes, you are.

But, it's your view.

[WITCH HUNT]

Sorry about the script and color! I was playing around with the options and kinda got carried away.

[WITCH HUNT]

I just want to point out things that people may overlook, or may not know. It is all too easy for us to base our decisions on what we like. On the surface it would be easy for me to blame the Israelis for this mess. If I went by Reuters or AP, I would probably be protesting Isreal. But, the more I dig around, the more things I find that show IHH and Free Gaza just as shady as the IDF.

[Cogburn]

The IHH doesn't seem that shady to me.

That knife isn't anything you wouldn't expect someone to have on a ship. Note that it has a double serrated edge and only a rubberized grip. That is not a combat weapon, that is a tool. If that blade were much longer than 6" I'd be shocked.

[MrPenny]

That is not a combat weapon, that is a tool.

That's kinda' thin Cog. A filletting knife isn't strictly a "combat weapon" either....but you wouldn't want someone flailing away at you with one. The point being, it becomes a weapon the instant the user decides it is one.

[Eyeforalie]

But it wouldnt be as dramatic if the assailant bludgeoned the victim with a fish. Granted, there would be a hole different issue at hand.

[Cogburn]

My master responds in yellow:


Cropped photos
JUN 7, 2010 12:44 EDT
FEEDBACK | INTERNATIONAL | PHOTOGRAPHS


Shame on you for editing (cropping) photos depicting wounded Israeli soldiers in a way that hides the cold weapons (knives and metal clubs) in the hands of the “peaceful” voyagers.

Unfortunately, Reuters looses its stature as an unbiased media outlet time and time again.

Amir
____________________________________
I would think the knife a “peace activist” was holding over a wounded Israeli soldier would be part of the news context. But that would involve impartial journalism, and Reuters’ own anti-Israel activism would take a hit. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of alerting appropriate media watchdogs; we’ve seen Reuters photography in action before.

Jaff
____________________________________
You cropped those pictures to deliberately omit weapons shown in the hands of the Turkish ships’ passengers including knives and broken bottles, and also cropped out a pool of blood from a wounded Israeli soldier and also entirely cropped out another wounded Israeli soldier covered in blood.

Shame on you. You need to come clean and admit what you did and issue a correction.

Your cropping of these photos demonstrates that Reuters is not an objective news agency.

Steve
____________________________________
Cropped photos from the IHH ship used by your news service are being shown all over the web. This is clearly a case where cropping changed the message of the photo. I would like an explanation, and would like your service to put constraints on when cropping is allowed.

Mindy
____________________________________

http://blogs.reuters.com/gbu/files/2010/06/gbu-commando-1-combo-490.jpg
A number of readers contacted us about this. At the top and bottom you can see our initial cropped versions on the left, and the full frame versions on the right.

The images in question were made available in Istanbul, and following normal editorial practice were prepared for dissemination which included cropping at the edges. When we realized that a dagger was inadvertently cropped from the images, Reuters immediately moved the original set, as well.

We also used one of the uncropped photos on our reuters.com home page, and linked to a slideshow which used both full-frame knife shots: GBU Editor

[WITCH HUNT]

One, ok. Two, possibly. Three, well someone is drinking the kool-aid.
If this was the first instance of cropping I would be willing to believe that this was unintentional.

[Cogburn]

Given the explanation, there's probably thousands more.