Precarious Condition Of Photo Journalists: A Legal Analysis

Mrs. S. Mano, Research Scholar (Part Time) & Assistant Professor, Government Law College, Chengalpattu

Dr.J. Vijayalakshmi, Research Supervisor, Director of Legal Studies, Directorate of Legal Studies

ABSTRACT

Photo journalists are journalists who convey the news through the photos. The Print media is already facing issues due to digitalization, in that the division of Photojournalists are one whose profession is endangered due to the Smart Phones with highly efficient cameras. Citizen considered themselves as journalist and use their mobile as digital tool to convey their ideas through various social media platforms. In multitude way like the Mobile journalism, Social Media platforms, online journalism and citizen centered journalism are threatening the journalist’s profession especially tries to replace the photo journalists. Mobile phone photography and smartphone photography are rapidly developing nowadays. People also want breaking news, scrolling news, visual news, podcasts and video contents that too in a short duration. Multiskilled journalists are required for multiplatform delivery. Skill gap analysis is required in the photo journalist’s profession to meet the future technical challenges. This profession is important in archiving very rare historical events, social, political, economic crisis and disasters of the world for the past century. Photojournalists works are more reliable, authenticated and they are accountable unlike the mobile phone photographers. This research focusses on the precarious condition of photo journalists due to the technological impact and legal challenges pertaining to photo journalists.

Keywords: Photojournalists, Smart phones with camera, Social Media Platforms, Skill gap analysis, Working Journalist Act