Middle East Update: Photo Flap

the relentless coverage of the ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah conflict in the Middle East has breached a new level when Reuters announced yesterday (Aug. 7, 2006) that it had removed a 'doctored' photograph that was recently filed by Adnan Hajj (a Lebanese freelance photographer) that 'emphasized' the devastating impact of Israeli aerial bombing in suburban Beirut.

The photo, which shows thicker smoke in sharper contrast compared to a different snapshot that was taken by a different camera at about the same time, has since then been withdrawn by Reuters from its news website (along with the other 919 photos submitted by Mr. Hajj since the conflict began) after its staff had ascertained that the photo had been digitally enhanced (via Photoshop). The news agency, which apologized for the incident, also announced that it would no longer be contracting Mr. Hajj's freelance services in the future. According to Reuters, Hajj, who denies of any willful wrongdoing, insisted that he was only trying to removes the dust marks, and committed mistakes due to less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

While this 'digital tampering' (which the news agency specifically forbids) seems hardly the main issue in this tragic conflict, it has thrown into sharper conflict some of the convenient photo ops that have been 'supervised' by Lebanese and Hezbollah authorities for the international media so far. This practice has been duly noted by some news networks (including CNN), and in fact most reports these days are carefully accompanied by such qualifying statements as "the Hezbollah contends/claims that..." or "according to IDF's claims..."

This is not to say that Israel itself isn't above showing favorable footages to promote its case in the international arena, but noticeable lapses such as these crude attempts at media manipulation aren't exactly helpful to the Lebanese victims either, or for the matter Hezbollah's cause.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues to claim more lives on both sides...

Update: Reuters revealed that another of Mr. hajj's handiwork (dated Aug. 2) has been found to have been likewise 'edited' -- which shows an enhanced picture of an Israeli F-16 jet dropping three flares (instead of just one) in southern Lebanon. as a result, Associated Press (which had used mr hajj's services from 2003 to 2005) announced that it was also reviewing all the photographs that the Lebanese photographer had submitted during that period.