The NPPA Code of Ethics

The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) was founded in 1946 and is a professional society for press photographers and other photojournalists. NPPA members provide photographs for news outlets from print to television to the Internet and have a code of ethics governing both their actions in taking photographs and in publishing photographs.

Uphold Accuracy and Context

• NPPA photographers are charged with making sure that their photographs are accurate and represent the context as fairly as possible. Photographers must also avoid being manipulated into publishing pictures of staged photo opportunities.

Recognize Personal Biases and Avoid Stereotyping

• NPPA photographers must work hard to recognize their own personal biases and avoid stereotyping of individual, social or ethnic groups. They must maintain an awareness of the importance of treating subjects with dignity and respect as human beings and must show compassion to victims of tragedies, intruding on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding need to see.

Do Not Influence or Alter Events

• Photojournalists must be very careful not to influence or alter events in their zeal to record for posterity. Any intentional effort to influence or alter public events to make them more newsworthy or for any other reason is forbidden.

Do Not Pay Your Subjects or Accept Bribes

• NPPA members may not pay, trade or offer bribes to any of their subjects for their participation or cooperation. Photojournalists must likewise not accept any payments in cash or in kind from those who might potentially seek to influence coverage.

Do Not Sabotage the Work of Others

• NPPA photographers may not engage in intentional interference or in any other form of sabotage, direct or indirect, against the efforts of other journalists.