The stage managed press ---

[thenelm]

been meaning to post this for some time now. From a friend who's a college dean and communication apparently from his peers. Has anyone seen the column they are referring too?:

'Allan Wolper of Editor and Publisher sent me a most interesting private response to my SPJ-E message. I replied and received amplification. Here's the exchange, including his permission to repost the messages:

Ethics column this month in editor and publisher focuses on fact that many photographs being carried under wire service credit are actually taken by White House staff photographers. And readers never know that the photos were taken by White House staffers. Photo editors say they've been unable to change the system.

allan wolper
editor & publisher

I replied:

Wow! That's stunning news. You mean the wire services don't say something like "WHITE HOUSE PHOTO via AP"? If I'm reading your message
right, I wonder why on earth they wouldn't use such a credit. I'm afraid I can't read the column because I'm not an E&P subscriber.

Peter

P.S. Do you want to post this message on the list so that everyone can see it?

And then he replied:

You can post original and our exchange, too, if you like. The column will be posted during next couple of days.

It's more complicated than that. The wires send out the photo Eric
Draper/White House --with a note in the caption saying it's a handout -- and the papers simply reduce that to AP, AfP, etc. What's most interesting is that overwhelming number of photos
of Bush are being taken by White House photogs with NO reporters present.
Another thing: the White House will not send out photos that make them look bad. Washington Post, AP, all protest, but Bush won't let them take their own photos. And they go along with it.

I used as an example fact that a WH photog followed president into private ward of solider who just received a purple heart. NO newsmen allowed in. Photo later was released but no one knew what was said. So it is possible for soldier to say what a waste of lives -- quoting myself here -- and no one would know about it.


Peter Sussman
Member, SPJ Ethics Committee'

[kainah]

1. Very, very, very interesting indeed

I think SPJ stands for Society of Professional Journalists. They almost certainly have some sort of publication. "Editor & Publisher" is also a magazine. Allan Wolper would have some position with them, the "Editor and Publisher" under his name is not some title.

At least, that's how I read it.