The Camera Never Lies

During many recent decades of war we have seen journalists risking life and limb to send home reports and images of what is happening out in the field of combat. Portraying life for the citizens of the countries during conflict, of the troops fighting, the struggle, the pain and the horrific day to day life that befalls all involved. These images can bring about such strong public opinion that they can often alter the end result of wars. In the past this has developed a stronger support for the allies during WW2 but also the anger and upset against the Vietnam war from photographs like Nick Ut's image of Phan Thi Kim Phuc after a Napalm attack.

I believe because in recent conflicts not all public reaction has been in support of the governments actions after seeing such images that we are now seeing fewer of these photo's appearing in the media. We of course see images of the troops in Iraq and the strength of the military invasions, we see the fallen and their coffins coming off the planes draped in flags and the civilians in war torn countries showing how their lives have changed for the better after escaping repressive governmental regimes. However a majority of the hard hitting reality of war has hardly been seen at all. Do we believe that there are less photographic journalist's ready to risk their lives to send us these images, of course not, so the answer must be that in recent years a certain level of war censorship has developed. A few months back I read an article about Zoriah Miller and how after publishing some journalistic war images he was then forbidden to work with the US marine corps and from being allowed to take photo's of the Iraq war from the inside or 'embedded' as they call it. The US armed forces wrapped up their reasoning in small print but I feel this is just covering up an unacceptable level of censorship. Of course the images of dead or injured soldiers, or innocent civilians is never pleasant to witness but we must be made aware of the impact our governments actions are having during international conflicts. Another form of censorship is coming from the media itself, through more reader/viewing friendly images that will not put you off your breakfast when you see the morning news.

Being in a democracy it is our duty to view these images and understand the effects our elected governments actions are having, however good or bad. If we do not see the bare stripped down effects and the end results of these actions how can we truly understand how our countries are being perceived in international relations. How can we understand the hatred against the west in the middle east, how there is a continuing resentment in Iraq against the international armed forces still based there. This is not the place for me to say if I feel the wars in themselves are right or wrong but what I do believe is that without seeing these images we are only understanding half the story. From what little we see we are in support or opposition about something we do not truly know the the real facts of and we will be basing our opinions on a false perception of the realities of war.