The Burden of Visual Truth: The Role of Photojournalism in Mediating Reality (Routledge Communication Series)

As the visual component of contemporary media has overtaken the verbal, visual reportage has established a unique and extremely significant role in 21st-century culture. Julianne Newton has prepared this comprehensive analysis of the development of the role of visual reportage as a critical player in the evolution of our understanding of ourselves, others, and the world. The Burden of Visual Truth offers a first assessment of the role of visual journalism within the context of the complex, cross-disciplinary pool of literature and ideas required for synthesis. Newton approaches the subject matter from several perspectives, examining the theoretical and ideological bases for visual truth, particularly as conveyed by the news media, and applying relevant research on photojournalism and reality imagery to contemporary newspaper, broadcast, and internet professional practice. She extends visual communication theory by proposing an ecology of the visual for 21st century life and developing a typology of human visual behavior. Scholars in visual studies, media studies, journalism, nonverbal communication, cultural history, and psychology will find this analysis invaluable as a comprehensive base for studying reality imaging and human visual behavior. The volume also is appropriate for journalism and media studies coursework at the undergraduate and graduate levels. With its conclusions about the future of visual reportage, The Burden of Visual Truth also will be compelling reading for journalism and mass communication professionals concerned with improving media credibility and maintaining a significant course for journalism in the 21st century. For all who seek to understand the role of visual media in the formation of their views of the world and of their own identities, this volume is a must-read. The primary objective of this book is to offer a comprehensive analysis of the role of visual reportage in our understanding of ourselves, others, and the world. To accomplish this ambitious goal, the book approaches the subject matter from several perspectives. One perspective is to examine the theoretical and ideological basis for visual truth, particularly as conveyed by the news media. A second perspective is to synthesize and apply relevant research on photojournalism and reality imagery. A third perspective is to extend visual communication theory by suggesting an ecology of the visual for 21st century life.The Burden of Visual Truth: The Role of Photojournalism in Mediating Reality offers students, educators, scholars, professionals, and the public the first comprehensive analysis of visual reportage as a form of human visual behavior in contemporary culture. It is the first book to assess the role of photojournalism in contemporary culture in terms of the complex, cross-disciplinary pool of literature and ideas required for comprehensive analysis. It also analyzes visual reportage as a unique and significant player in contemporary visual culture.This book is appropriate for a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses. Journalism and mass communication professionals concerned with improving media credibility and maintaining journalism in future culture will find this book fills a void in literature assessing the changing role of their chosen professional in contemporary culture. Scholars in visual studies, media studies, journalism, nonverbal communication, art history, cultural history, and psychology will find The Burden of Visual Truth: The Role of Photojournalism inMediating Reality invaluable as a comprehensive base for studying reality imaging and human visual behavior. The book will also appeal to an increasingly sophisticated public who seek to understand the role of visual media in the formation of their views of the world and of their own identities. The primary objective of this book is to offer a comprehensive analysis of the role of visual reportage in our understanding of ourselves, others and the world. To accomplish this ambitious goal, the book approaches the subject matter from several perspectives. One perspective is to examine the theoretical and ideological basis for truth, particularly as conveyed by the news media. A second perspective is to synthesize and apply relevant research on photojournalism and reality imagery. A third perspective is to extend visual communication theory by suggesting an ecology of the visual for 21st century life. "The Burden of Visual Truth" offers students, educators, scholars, professionals and the public the first comprehensive analysis of visual reportage as a form of human visual behaviour in contemporary culture. It is the first book to assess the role of photojournalism in contemporary culture in terms of the complex, cross-disciplinary pool of literature and ideas required for comprehensive analysis. It also analyzes visual reportage as a unique and significant player in contemporary visual culture. This book is appropriate for a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses. Journalism and mass communication professionals concerned with improving media credibility and maintaining journalism in future culture should find this book fills a void in literature assessing the changing role of their chosen profession in contemporary culture As The Visual Component Of Contemporary Media Has Overtaken The Verbal, Visual Reportage Has Established A Unique And Extremely Significant Role In Today's Culture. Author Julianne Newton Has Prepared This Comprehensive Analysis Of The Role Of Visual Reportage As A Critical Player In The Evolution Of Our Understanding Of Ourselves, Others, And The World. The Burden Of Visual Truth Offers A First Assessment Of The Role Of Visual Journalism Within The Context Of The Complex, Cross-disciplinary Pool Of Literature And Ideas Required For Comprehensive Analysis. The Vision Instinct: The Roots Of Visual Reportage -- From Instinct To Practice: Who Are The Players And What's The Goal Of The Game? -- The Heart Of The Seer: Photographer Concerns/ethics -- Stealing The Soul: Subject Concerns/identity -- Tending The Gate: Editor Concerns/social Responsibility -- Is Seeing Still Believing?: Viewer Concerns/visual Perception Theory -- Whose Truth?: Society And Visual Culture -- Toward An Ecology Of The Visual: The Whole Picture -- Translating The Visual: A Typology Of Visual Behavior -- The Problem Of Real People: What Do Pictures Of Real Life Mean To Us? -- The Future: Photo+graphic+video+print+film+internet+virtual Reality+visual Literacy =??? Julianne H. Newton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 189-200) And Indexes. This volume examines the role of photojournalism and visual reportage to promote understanding of the world, its people, and its issues. For scholars, students, and practitioners of photojournalism.