FOTO8

As part of East London's Photomonth, Amnesty has organised a series of exhibitions and events exploring the contribution of photojournalists to the understanding of human rights and social justice.

This panel discussion questions: Is there a shift in photojournalism away from objective documentation towards involved activist participation? The term photo-advocacy is creeping into the vocabulary of photojournalism. Instead of merely acting as witnesses, are photographers increasingly working with campaigning aims - to create change? Is there any place left in today’s media landscape for “objective” photojournalism? Should photojournalists be taking a position and getting involved in what they see, and if so can we trust images with an agenda?

Panel
Colin Jacobson - Chair
Jacobson has worked as photo editor for major publications including the Independent Magazine; critic and founder of Reportage Magazine; author of books and articles on photography; professor of photojournalism at Westminster University.

Gideon Mendel (freelance photographer)
Mendel is regarded as one of the world’s leading contemporary photographers. He has won several awards including winning six World Press Photo Awards, the Eugene Smith Award for Humanistic Photography and an Amnesty International Media Award. In his current practice he is engaged with a variety of projects often involving collaborative work along with a mix of photography and video.

Jessica Crombie (Save the Children)
Crombie is Head of Film and Photography for Save the Children, and ex Picture Editor for WaterAid. Crombie writes about photography for a number of publications, and lectures about documentary photography at universities and conferences across the UK.

Fiona Rogers (Magnum)
Rogers is the Cultural and Education Manager at Magnum Photos London. Prior to that she was employed at a popular London gallery. She is the founder of Firecracker- a project to support European women working in photography.

Max Houghton (Foto8)
Houghton is editor of 8 Magazine, an experienced writer and researcher for the international press, and course leader of MA Photojournalism at Westminster Univeristy.

Book your place at this event at www.amnesty.org.uk/events


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