I’m slightly behind the times on this one but I found the story about the government minister faking a photo at Tameside Hospital rather thought-provoking and not especially scandalous.
On one level, I found it quite amazing that this particular piece of digital manipulation was ever considered good enough to be sent out. Culture Secretary James Purnell‘s feet seem to be in front of the man to his right but his right arm is behind the bloke’s back (look at the far right on the picture above). At least one local newspaper actually used the image, though.
On another level, presumably the aim of the photocall was to produce a predictable, crap photograph that could be sent to the local rag. This outcome was successfully achieved without Purnell having to be there… so what’s the problem? (In fact he was there, shortly after the original image was taken, which makes the whole story even more of a non-event.)
The lesson here, perhaps, is that as MPs and political parties get to grip with blogging, Facebook and the giant arsenal of 21st century political communication devices at their disposal, we are reaching a point where the classic hospital/old people’s home/school fete photocall can be consigned to the dustbin of history as the cheesy, old-fashioned and largely pointless exercise it is.
Or, if Web 2.0 seems a bit complicated, all the parties need is a work experience kid who “knows about Photoshop”, a mugshot of each cabinet minister and Bob’s your proverbial. And since Purnell and his ilk won’t have to turn up in a helicopter or a stretch limo (or however it is these people get around), it’ll help with the carbon footprint. Everyone’s a winner!
Picture from BBC News
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