controversy behind curtains

"Anybody who knows the (Stewart) story and is familiar with Martha's current situation would know this particular picture was a "photo illustration," said Lynn Staley, Newsweek's assistant managing editor, defending their recent cover photo of Martha Stewart.

""The piece that we commissioned was intended to show Martha as she would be [when she emerges from jail in a few days], not necessarily as she is."

Now, am I the only one out there who thinks that the majority of Americans don't know the difference between a photograph and a photo illustration -- even when it's clearly labeled as such on a page of contents?? I also tend to believe that something blends the line between what's real and what isn't has no business masquerading as editorial content.

So, a big thanks to Newsweek for further helping to degrade the view of photojournalism in the public's eye. I aprreciate you making the jobs of those of us trying to tell the truth that much harder.

5 March 2005 by Melissa Lyttle

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