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Other articles in the RAP 21 Newsletter n° 38/2003:
NEWS FROM THE MEDIA SCENE
Media Training Network Launched in Algeria
Invitation to Attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria
PRESS FREEDOM
Alerts from the Continent
FELLOWSHIPS
Hellman-Hammett Grant Offered by Human Rights Watch
Fellowship in Germany for Five South African Journalists
Newsletter n° 38

26.11.03
THE BUSINESS OF NEWSPAPERS CONTENT & ETHICS

African Photographers Encouraged to Capture "beauty and violence" of Today’s World

RAP 21: Is the World Press Photo contest popular among African photojournalists? If not, what do you think are the reasons behind that?

Michiel Munneke: I do believe that our competition is rather popular among African photojournalists. However there is still a lot of work to do. In 2002 as well as in 2003 we had about 100 participants from the African continent. I am convinced that there are many more photographers out there who would like to participate. It is our challenge to reach out to them and to create a greater awareness amongst photojournalists around the continent. It is promising that last year we were able to bring our annual exhibition to 10 different African countries: Egypt, Eritrea, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa.

RAP 21: Has there already been an African winner of the contest?

Michiel Munneke: Over the years we have had several African winners in different categories. In 1998 the most prestigious award of all, the "World Press Photo of the Year Award" was given to the Algerian photographer Hocine.

RAP 21: In what way do you think Africans can contribute to the diversity of the World Press Photo contest?

Michiel Munneke: Allot of events in Africa are still being covered by Western photographers. It is my strong belief that local photographers in many cases do have a better understanding of the situation and are more capable of telling an honest, in-depth story. Chab Tour, a gallery owner from Bamako, Mali who attended our Awards Days last April told a researcher:

"European photographers only show the negative side of Africa. This type of misery will change when African photographers can show what Africa is really about. Of course you will see African misery but these photographers will also show African beauty. Beauty and violence are everywhere, Africa is not a special case where only misery exists!"

Contribution of Africans to the World Press Photo competition could lead to a more complete and sophisticated picture of Africa in which the focus is not on the dark side but on the richness and diversity of everyday life.

RAP 21: What kind of exposure does the contest get worldwide?

Michiel Munneke: The results of the contest are presented in a travelling exhibition, an annual catalogue and on our website (www.worldpressphoto.nl). The exhibition travels annually to approximately 80 cities worldwide and is seen by 2 million visitors. The book is published in six different languages. Besides all this, the results of our competition are globally presented in newspapers, magazines, and electronic media.

RAP 21: Traditionally, photos accompany text in newspapers. Would you say that this is changing? If yes, in what direction and why?

Michiel Munneke: In my opinion photographs are still today, too often used as just illustrations to text. One explanation for this might be that it is often "visually illiterate" people who make editorial decisions on the use of photographs. Of course there are examples of publications that do recognize the power of photography as such. And these publications do allocate relatively many pages to pictures, but you can be assured that in advance a lot of arguing have to be done.

RAP 21: What is the philosophy behind the World Press Photo contest?

Michiel Munneke: The World Press Photo contest was established in 1955. It was born out of a desire to improve Dutch press photography, to make it visually and journalistically more appealing and challenging. Today, however, the contest serves as vehicle to showcase the best in photojournalism in one specific year.

RAP 21: Finally, how would you define good photojournalism?

Michiel Munneke: Good photojournalism is about witnessing, testifying, and documenting. An outstanding press photo has excellent visual quality and journalistic relevancy.

For more information on how to enter the competition or to see last year’s winning photographs visit www.worldpressphoto.com
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