Developments

The New York Post has admitted altering the photo I blogged about the other day, but won't say in what way. Although many question my assertion that they Photoshopped out the victim's penis, the Post's statement all but admits that's what they thought they were doing, rendering my correctness a mute point: "We decided to make a very minor alteration to the photograph of Kevin Sterne being carried out of Norris Hall to protect the wounded student's dignity but in no way change the news impact of the picture." (I didn't realize having a penis was something to be ashamed of, but OK.) Whether I'm "right" or not isn't really the point here (pardon the pun). The Post did shamelessly lie to its readers and don't seem to have any remorse about it whatsoever.

The Poynter Institute tries to sort things out here.

We Can't Handle the Truth?

BEFORE (N.Y. Daily News)

AFTER (N.Y. Post)

NOTE TO NEWSPAPER EDITORS: You CAN'T go around Photoshopping news photos -- even of a crime victim's penis. Do you not understand how wrong this is?

If you're unclear (hint: it's dishonest), continue reading after the jump. ---->

Read my newest post on this topic here.

UPDATE: Here's an interesting bit of news that I'm just now hearing about. Allan Detrich, an award-winning Toledo Blade photographer, resigned from the staff April 7 after admitting he digitally altered the content of a photograph that was published on The Blade's front page. A subsequent investigation has found he's altered 79 photos since January '07 (see examples). (Romenesko)

(Photo by Alan Kim/Roanoke Times)