A sample of some newspaper's photo guidelines:

Texarkana (TX) Gazette Dead Body Policy (editorial memo, Oct. 9, 1989)
Effective today, we will initiate a kinder, gentler photo policy that precludes dead bodies in photos. There may be some exceptions to this, if there is compelling news value. But as the norm, we will cease to show bodies under sheets, or in bags, or on stretchers, or in any other state of demise. I can't rationalize to myself how body photographs add anything to the value of our newspaper. Instead, I think many of our readers would find them offensive.

I would also extend this policy to people who are severely injured and likely to die. This of course is a judgment call, but in such cases we need take both with-victim and without- victim photographs.

The guiding philosophy behind the policy is one of compassion for the victim's friends and family and an empathy for the sensibilities of our readers. Instead of being an exploitative, shocking newspaper, I want the Texarkana Gazette to be known as a sensitive paper.

I realize this doesn't make for gripping, high-profile photos, but I think it does make for a newspaper more in step with this community.

Sioux Falls (SD) Argus Leader
News photos in advertisements: Photographs taken specifically for news columns shall not be used in advertisements unless approved by the executive editor or managing editor.

Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune
The introduction of electronic photo editing technology to the Herald-Tribune brings with it concerns about the use of the image manipulation capabilities of the tools in our daily' production.

The technology gives us the ability to easily alter the. content or create new photograph that could deceive the reader and ultimately damage the credibility of the Herald-Tribune.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE POLICY OF THE HERALD-TRIBUNE THAT CONTENT ALTERATION OF PHOTOGRAPHS IS UNACCEPTABLE USING PAST OR PRESENT TECHNOLOGY.

If significant reason exists to challenge this policy it will be addressed in the following manner:

No discussion needed:

• Dodging or burning of areas in the photograph that do not change the content, for instance, lightening or darkening areas of the photograph to make them reproducible in the newspaper.
• Correction of technical defects in a photo, for instance, repairing line hits in a photo or erasing line noise.

Discussion required:

• Photographs with the potential to breach community standards, including accidental inclusion of genitals, obscene gestures, offensive cultural elements.
• Photographs that may offend community standards, including gruesome or emotionally distressing photographs.
• Discussion is also required to use the electronic image manipulation capabilities to create an illustration using photographic elements. It should be noted that this protocol does not preclude the use of the technology to create illustrations using the particular advantages of the tools, but does require that the resulting illustration not closely resemble a real life scene and requires that the resulting illustration be labeled as to its creative elements.

The discussion group should include:

• Photographer, top newsroom executive, photo editor, section editor, and anyone who might lend an enlightened argument for or against the usage.

Some of the questions that should come up in the discussion should include:

• What are the alternatives: Can another photo convey the same message and eliminate the concerns?
• Is possession of the technical capability to alter a photograph justifying the proposed manipulation?
• Is all of the necessary information available for discussion: Story and photo readily available?
• Is there any missing information from the photograph?
• What is the news value of the particular photograph?
• Are there legal or ethical concerns about running the photo?
• Who might be offended and why?
• What are the possible consequences of publishing the photo?
• Will we be able to justify our decision?

Photo credits and labeling:

• Any time the content of a photograph has been altered, the extent of the alteration and the technique should be clearly explained in the cutline or credit, adhering to the style of the Herald-Tribune.
• The emphasis should be on adding as much detailed information as possible.

Rochester (NY) Times-Union and Democrat and Chronicle
All photographs are accurate representations of the situations they portray. Nothing recreated, staged or posed is represented as a candid situation. Previously shot photographs are not represented as fresh and new. Photographers are alert to situations in which straightforward photography might create an impression contrary to the facts. They avoid cropping a photograph in a way that would misrepresent the situation. They point out questionable photographs or situations and discuss proper treatment of them with editors.

San Jose (CA) Mercury News
In the interest of integrity and fairness, photographers and editors should exercise caution in the use of "set-up" photographs. In the same way that reporters do not make up quotes, photographers do not reconstruct scenes or events with the purpose of making them appear as if they were "found" moments.

However, photographers are often called upon to make environmental portraits or do illustrative photography. In no way should such photographs be approached or treated as anything but what they are. They are either portraits or are demonstrative of a situation. Both should be clearly labeled.

That means that care should be taken in writing captions so they do not suggest the picture is something it is not. For example, is Clark Kent working in his study or is he simply in his study (for purposes of a portrait)? Is Lois Lane actually practicing her technique of boomerang tossing or is she demonstrating her technique of boomerang tossing (for purposes of a photograph)? Such distinctions make a difference.

...Ordinarily, consent is implied if a photographer approaches a subject, indicates that he/she is a newspaper photographer and asks for names and other facts. In some circumstances, written releases may be required (at mental health institutions or orphanages, for example).

St. Paul (MN) Pioneer Press and Dispatch
Dead bodies - Avoid use of photos of dead bodies (especially local) unless covered. Of course, there will be exceptions that must be cleared with the managing editor.

General Policy - Do NOT run photos of the governor, mayor, etc. signing proclamations, receiving plaques, looking at a check or piece of paper, etc. Avoid posed news photos of politicians immediately prior to elections.

Added on July 27, 1989:
Under no circumstances shall documentary photographs be manipulated, changed, or altered to any degree, by any method or medium, including electronic manipulation.

Documentary photographs shall not be set up, i.e., manufactured by the photographer.

Any manipulation of feature photos can be done only under the supervision of the director of photography in conjunction with the managing editor and the associate editor of features.

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