Lying in Plain Sight
We all know this time was going to come: when even something you witness with your own eyes could be altered and changed until it was no longer the truth.
Photo editors and video editing programs are making lying in plain sight a whole lot easier- and with the growing power placed in the hands of the editors, a question of ethics is brought up. Is it right to twist what is real to turn it into something appealing to the eye or comedic.
When this argument comes up, airbrushing is brought to the table, too. Airbrushing photos in magazines to add superficial beauty to celebrities is argued to be a demeaning force in teen girl’s lives. Is it fair to give them something unrealistic that they set their standards to? With an already harsh, judging High School atmosphere and crazy hormones, adding seemingly flawless celebrities is not helping their self esteem.
Although editing videos frame by frame to alter images is expensive, it is done. Once again, questions are drawn as videos are edited in such ways that are taking things out of context.
What do you think about these questionable techniques? Should we let the media continue to lie in plain sight without consequence, or should we put in place some law that has to let the reader or viewer know if the images are altered?
~Rika
My Thoughts: This is a conflict that’s been going on for quite some time now, and every time I think of this subject it reminds me of 13 Going on 30. Because Jenna faced the problems of wanting to be popular and pretty and just like girls in magazines. Which is exactly what girls are faced with today, and then at the end it sends a good message in showing that Jenna actually ended up with a better life when she was just herself.
Response to Article: I think that it’s sad that the media has resorted to lieing and deception, however what could you do to stop it though? It’s kinda hard to tell people no looking pretty in magazines because we wanna send relistic messages to teens. If possible though I do think it’s nescessary to do something. Fantastic article Rika!!