The recent release of a Mother’s Day photograph featuring Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, intended to reassure the public amidst her absence from royal duties, has instead ignited a media firestorm. The Associated Press (AP), a globally respected news agency, took the unusual step of retracting the image, citing manipulation that violated their photo standards. The issue centered around “an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand,” Kate’s daughter, according to the AP’s statement.
This action by the AP, coupled with Kate Middleton’s extended absence from public view since Christmas and a reported two-week hospital stay in January for planned abdominal surgery, has fueled intense speculation about her health and well-being. Adding to the intrigue, Kate herself issued an apology for the photo editing, stating in a social media post, “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.”
Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024
Beyond the immediate questions surrounding Kate Middleton’s health and whereabouts, this incident has also triggered a broader conversation about journalistic ethics in the digital age. To gain further insight into the implications, we spoke with Kate Sweeney, a former journalist and now a professor of practice in UVA’s Department of Media Studies.
Why is Publishing a Doctored Photo by a Reputable Outlet a Problem?
According to Sweeney, the core issue is a departure from truth. While the public might be desensitized to photo manipulation on platforms like Instagram, the standards for news media are fundamentally different. “It’s a step away from truth,” Sweeney explains. “While the public may not understand why it’s an issue because they’re so accustomed to seeing filtered and doctored photos on Instagram, this is the same public that has a lack of trust in the news today.”
For journalists, maintaining public trust hinges on upholding the principle of seeking truth. “So, for journalists, it’s really this idea of upholding that standard of seeking truth, that it’s wrong to mislead. And a doctored photo is misleading. And the second we start misleading, we chip away at any remaining trust that exists.” Publishing altered images erodes the credibility of news organizations and contributes to the growing distrust in media.
The Associated Press’s Retraction: A Necessary Step?
Sweeney believes the Associated Press acted correctly by retracting the image. Transparency is a cornerstone of journalistic ethics, and the AP’s response exemplified this principle. “I think The Associated Press did what it needed to do. One of the core ethics of journalism is to be transparent. They explained what happened; they explained why they’re removing the photo. They didn’t just hide it or bury it or conceal that it happened. They also didn’t just go along with running it, either.”
The AP’s decision aligns with the fundamental tenets of journalism: seeking truth, acting independently, minimizing harm, and being transparent. “When you think about the four tenets of journalism being seeking truth, acting independently, minimizing harm and being transparent, the photo isn’t truthful. It’s not accurate. It’s misleading. So, we’ve got to get rid of it. And the next act as a journalist is to be transparent to the public about what happened and share what happened in order to attempt to maintain any form of trust.” By promptly retracting the photo and explaining their reasoning, the AP prioritized journalistic integrity and transparency in a challenging situation.
