Newspaper (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The New York Post has featured a photo of a man just before he was killed by an oncoming train. The incident occurred when a man was pushed onto the railroad tracks. The photographer took (by his estimate) 50 pictures as he ran towards the victim. He said he was too weak to have been able to pull the man up. He said he took the photos in the hope that the train conductor would see the flash emanating from the camera. Unfortunately, that did not occur. The train killed the man.
The New York Post decided to feature one of the photos on the cover of its paper. The photo in question shows a man dangling from the side of the deck, attempting to pull himself up. No one is seen nearby trying to help him. A train is hurling its way towards him. The caption on the paper reads: “DOOMED.” Out of respect for the man’s wife I’ve decided not to link the photo to this blog. Respect of which was not shown from the New York Post and the photographer.
Here are my problems with the photo:
- I’ll take the photographer at his word that he felt the best thing he could do was furiously flash the train conductor. I will give him the benefit of the doubt. However, one point that I still haven’t heard anyone bring up is this one. Why did he give the photo to the New York Post? He could very easily delete the photos. He unequivocally is making a profit off the death. I don’t find any nobility in his selfish and greedy decision.
- The New York Post showed a severe lack of class and compassion to the victim’s family. It is bad enough the man died, now the family has the moment before he dies plastered all over the internet. How exactly is that professional and/or right? To showcase the photo on the cover and title it: “Doomed” is degrading and unbecoming of the newspaper.
What do you think?
Did the New York Post go too far?
What about the photographer?
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Twitter: @adrakontaidis & @talkrealdebate
