Can Human Suffering Be Ethically Represented in Modern Day Media?
The portrayal of human suffering in media has been a subject of profound ethical contemplation, where visual storytelling holds the power to raise awareness and advocate for crucial causes. Nonetheless, it also faces scrutiny for potential exploitation and harm to vulnerable individuals. As the world grapples with these moral dilemmas, the focus on empathy, compassion, and stringent ethical standards becomes paramount, and redefines how we approach and navigate controversial media content to protect human dignity and foster understanding.
The Power and Pitfalls of Visual Storytelling
In light of the recent insights from Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) report on the ethics of photographing people who are suffering, the ethical considerations surrounding visual storytelling have garnered significant attention. MSF has demonstrated the importance of critically evaluating thousands of images, identifying potentially problematic ones, and engaging experts and stakeholders to redefine their visual storytelling approaches. The report highlights the potential violation of human dignity when images are used solely for their “shock” factor, eliciting immediate reactions from distant donors. The controversy surrounds the publication of sensitive images, such as the 2022 case of a 16-year-old girl who was a victim of rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo, igniting a broader conversation about responsible visual storytelling.
To address the moral conundrum raised by MSF’s report, storytellers should strive for a positive and empowering approach to cultivate empathy and compassion within their target audiences, avoiding victimhood narratives, and exploitative or sensational imagery.
Capturing Controversial Media Content
The ethics of creating controversial media content lies at the heart of a complex moral dilemma, where the historical examples of impactful visual storytelling evoke both admiration and concern. The “Dreaming Food” project by Alessio Mamo, featuring poor children in India posing in front of lavish tables with fake food, exemplifies the power of provocative photography to shed light on the waste of food. However, it also sparked bitter controversy, raising questions about cultural sensitivity and ethical considerations in portraying suffering for distant audiences. Similarly, the iconic “Migrant Mother” photograph captured by Dorothea Lange during the Depression era intended to garner support for social welfare policies, yet its portrayal of poverty also prompted moral inquiries about the subject’s anonymity and commodification of her image. In tandem, Kevin Carter’s Pulitzer Prize-winning image of a starving Sudanese girl with a vulture near her highlighted the plight of famine victims but triggered criticism over the photographer’s actions and the exploitative nature of such images. Amidst these historical lessons, contemporary content creators and humanitarian organisations face the challenge of striking a delicate balance between impactful advocacy and exploitation. The moral responsibilities of content producers to raise awareness for crucial causes cannot be undermined, but they must also confront the potential harm that questionable images of suffering may cause. The principle of “doing no harm” becomes paramount in depicting vulnerable individuals, necessitating a cautious approach in visual storytelling to protect their privacy, dignity, and agency. As the world grapples with these ethical complexities, storytellers must navigate the fine line between good intentions and the potential consequences of over-exposing vulnerable subjects. Emphasising stringent ethical standards and safeguarding human dignity, they must redefine how they approach controversial media content, ensuring that empathy and compassion guide their visual narratives.
Exploiting the Unprotected: The Controversies Around National Geographic’s Famous ‘Afghan Girl’
In 1985, National Geographic’s renowned photojournalist, Steve McCurry, captured the haunting image of Sharbat Gula, famously known as the ‘Afghan Girl’ at a makeshift school for girls in Afghanistan.
The photograph brought attention to numerous United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, shedding light on issues like poverty, education, and gender equality. However, scepticism arose over the years surrounding the circumstances of the photo shoot: did Gula give consent and is the exploitation of vulnerable subjects in visual storytelling wrong?
Many individuals believe that problems lie in the pose McCurry used for the photograph, implying that it was staged and exploitative. It is believed that Gula’s notorious fearful eyes were not of war but of the unfamiliar man taking her photo. These claims have sparked a heated debate about the ethical responsibilities of content producers in portraying vulnerable individuals. On the other hand, McCurry’s account offers a different perspective: he maintains that he respected Gula’s boundaries and sought permission from her teacher before taking the photograph, explaining that the image was taken with the intention of sharing her story with the world and aimed to bring attention to the plight of Afghan women and girls.
Amidst these controversies, it is crucial to remember the human impact of visual storytelling. Gula’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by girls and women in conflict-ridden regions, highlighting the importance of supporting initiatives that provide education and empowerment. Although this image dates back to 1985, it remains critical for content producers and humanitarian organisations to approach visual representation with sensitivity and ethical considerations, safeguarding the dignity and well-being of those they portray.
Portraying Triggering Topics in Fictional Media
While depicting sensitive subject matters, such as suicide or eating disorders, aim to raise awareness about mental health and the struggles faced by certain individuals, they also run the risk of glamorising or romanticising these matters. The responsibility lies with content creators to approach this sensitive topic with utmost care, considering the potential impact on vulnerable audiences.
Content creators must acknowledge the influence of their work on impressionable viewers, especially young audiences. “13 Reasons Why,” for instance, faced criticism for its graphic and detailed depiction of suicide, potentially normalising self-harm behaviour and glorifying the act itself. In addition, the Netflix series faced backlash for its perceived lack of guidance, which could have left viewers feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Such portrayals can inadvertently lead to ‘copycat’ behaviour and pose a significant risk to vulnerable individuals who may already be struggling with mental health issues. Thus, striking a balance between addressing the topic of suicide and adhering to responsible storytelling becomes paramount.
Similarly, the portrayal of eating disorders in the media has been a subject of intense debate, with one particular film, “To the Bone,” facing significant controversy. Many people criticised the movie, claiming that it irresponsibly trivialises eating disorders and plays on harmful stereotypes, potentially harming at-risk viewers. The film’s director and actress explained that their intent was to provide a realistic portrayal while still creating an engaging movie; however, critics pointed out that the movie failed to fully capture the emotional turmoil experienced by individuals with eating disorders and focused too heavily on physical manifestations.
The debate around these fictional motion pictures centred on the ethical dilemma of portraying realistic and potentially triggering content versus censoring certain aspects of the illness. Some argue that removing triggering content might lead to a false and trivialising portrayal, while others stressed the importance of not glamorising these triggering topics.
Ethical depictions of these sensitive matters should prioritise promoting help-seeking behaviour and providing resources for those in distress. It is essential to include trigger warnings, helplines, and mental health resources before and after such portrayals. Content creators should aim to create narratives that not only shed light on the realities of mental health struggles but also actively encourage conversations and support networks to promote well-being.
My Own Personal, Self Reflective Journey
At the age of 15, I founded a homeless charity — Sweets on Streets (SOS) — in the bustling city of San Francisco. It all started with my love for the kitchen, which blossomed into a passion for baking and sharing my creations with friends and family. During this time, I began riding my bike around the city, and it became increasingly difficult to avoid the heartbreaking sight of dozens of homeless individuals scavenging for food in garbage cans and pleading for help on a daily basis. This scene, distressingly common in the city, moved me to take action and change this painful familiarity. Thus, SOS was born — a non-profit organisation with a simple yet heartfelt goal of delivering baked goods and meals to the homeless on my bike, aiming to bring a smile and a glimmer of hope to their lives. The support and generosity of my local community helped SOS grow, expanding far beyond my original initiatives of distributing biscuits and brownies; eventually, I was able to instead provide essential supplies, such as toiletries, clothing, and water for those in need.
I created a YouTube channel and blog to track each charity run, primarily to share with the donors who so generously funded SOS. In the process of doing so, I grappled with the ethical responsibility of portraying vulnerable individuals and ensuring that my narratives did not inadvertently perpetuate stigma or exploitation. Rather than depicting the homeless as miserable or helpless, my content aimed to showcase their strength, resilience, and shared humanity. I learned to utilise these platforms as a way of humanising those I encountered on the streets and challenge common stereotypes. I ultimately learned the power of empathetic storytelling to advocate for crucial causes while still respecting the dignity and privacy of the homeless community.
Conclusion
The ethical representation of human suffering in modern-day media is a nuanced and critical issue. Historical and contemporary examples all highlight the power of visual storytelling to bring attention to pressing social concerns. However, they also underscore the necessity of approaching such subjects with sensitivity and respect for the individuals depicted. Striking a balance between raising awareness and avoiding exploitation requires a thoughtful and empathetic approach, prioritising human dignity and promoting supportive resources. Notwithstanding the formidable nature of these challenges, media creators can foster constructive conversations and positive impact by adhering to stringent ethical standards, ensuring that their narratives contribute to a more compassionate and responsible representation of human suffering.
