Iraqi torture photographs and documentary realism in the press.

MAGAZINE'S ABSTRACT
In April 2004 American and British forces in Iraq were accused of torturing prisoners and photographic
evidence was widely published in the press. The images of brutality by British soldiers were immediately
questioned and eventually proved to be fakes. The images of American torture were authentic, but before
publication some were altered for the sake of decency. The question here is "how far can editors alter photographs
without destroying their authenticity as documentary evidence?" When editors alter details inside the frame they
are in danger of breaking the fragile contract that exists between photographs and actuality, and that can
undermine their credibility as reporters of facts. However, all photographs are representations. What we see in
photographs is seen only in them and not by natural eyesight in the world. This article examines alteration that is
unacceptable and discredits editors; alteration that is just about acceptable as long as no one notices or it fits
preconceptions; alteration that is completely acceptable and does not spoil the everyday sense of truth in
photographs.