Sun-Times has ‘a little fun’ with fake photos

Sun-Times, December 10

Sun-Times, December 10

Buyer beware: You can’t believe what you see on the front page of the Sun-Times.

Twice in recent weeks, the Sun-Times has published digitally altered photographs with Page 1 sports stories. Both were labeled “Sun-Times illustration” in type that was barely legible.

Sun-Times, November 1

Sun-Times, November 1

On Wednesday, Oakland Athletics pitcher Jeff Samardzija was shown in a White Sox uniform to illustrate a Rick Telander column about his trade to Chicago. That followed a November 1 front page showing Joe Maddon's face on someone else's body in a Cubs uniform to illustrate a story about his hiring as manager.

Jim Kirk, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Sun-Times, defended the sleight of hand. "Some sports stories are fun and we had a little fun with the excitement of the trade,” Kirk said Wednesday. “It was clear the image was a photo illustration and made sure we labeled it as such."

Photoshopped images in news stories are banned by most reputable newspapers and strictly prohibited by most professional organizations:

  • The Associated Press Code of Ethics for Photojournalists says: “The content of a photograph must not be altered in Photoshop or by any other means. No element should be digitally added to or subtracted from any photograph.”
  • The National Press Photographers Association Code of Ethics says: “Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images’ content and context. Do not manipulate images . . . in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.”

Sun-Times editors weren’t always so cavalier about the use of fake photos. In 1990, the deputy managing editor for sports was fired for approving a doctored photo of Cubs pitcher Danny Jackson wearing a hockey mask on the mound. It appeared inside the sports section with a story about former Cincinnati Reds teammates calling Jackson “Jason” after the character in the “Friday the 13th” movies.

In a published apology to readers, editor Dennis Britton wrote: “The Sun-Times deeply regrets this lapse from standard practice, which will not be repeated.”