Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

Media must be aware of the power of an image

The Aug. 23 Morning Sentinel carried an AP photo, captioned “Mosque Supporters Demonstrate,” that foregrounds a woman in a headscarf, a brown-skinned man and a black-haired man with shadowy eyes and a beard. Footage on television news, however, showed a multiethnic crowd, including many, many white people.

The photo shot, coupled with the words “demonstrate” and “protest,” reinforces the idea already held by too many Americans that it is those dark-skinned adherents of Islam who cause trouble with their intrusive and threatening presence. Why not choose a shot that foregrounds the multiple identities of Americans who favor mosque construction?

One photograph may not seem important, but this is an observable pattern in print media. If editors aren’t given a choice of photographs by the wire services, they might challenge AP about its choices or request a greater variety. Images have a profound effect on a reader’s understandings, and the press is in a position to play a positive role in influencing views held by the public.



Julie de Sherbinin

Waterville