Mardi Gras Sex Assault Photo wins Press Photographers Award for 2001 (not Sept. 11 images)

NPPA Website and Plastc.com ^ | April 1, 2002 | Wacko Liberal Judging Panel

[codebreaker]

Best Domestic News Single Event Photo 2001 judging criteria:

A photograph that is unplanned and immediate.

An event where the photographer hasn' the time th plan but reacts on instinct, adreline and news judgement.

A photoraph taken in the Unted States.

[1Old Pro]

I believe that is a black woman groping a breast in the top middle portion of the screen..these people in the photo should be identified and thrown into jail along with the camerman.

I agree, Rodney King video in a picture.

[Pagey]

Give them grief? Aren't you giving their bosses and familys a lot of credit?

I'm certain that I am,but Grief wasn't really the word I intended, I actually meant they needed "BEATING".

[JulieRNR21]

The disgusting animals who are assualting the woman in this photo should be identified and charged. This is a pornographic picture of a crime! It should be used by the police to arrest the criminals not given an award.

That this photo was chosen over the heroic images of 9-11 is an abomination and speaks volumes about how the biased liberal media is contributing to the decline of our society.

[BigStick]

I believe that is a black woman groping a breast in the top middle portion of the screen..these people in the photo should be identified and thrown into jail along with the camerman.

Looks like you may be right about that. What's more, there's this "politcally incorrect" observation... I count at least thirteen persons of color in this melee. The honkie count seems to be three, possibly four. That excludes the groped victim, of course. Fascinating.

[BigStick]

The disgusting animals who are assualting the woman in this photo should be identified and charged. This is a pornographic picture of a crime! It should be used by the police to arrest the criminals not given an award.

That this photo was chosen over the heroic images of 9-11 is an abomination and speaks volumes about how the biased liberal media is contributing to the decline of our society.

Yup. Correct on all counts. However, the barbarians aren't just at the gate, they're inside and they've arrived in force. This is photo proof of that.

[flyervet]

You thought that was a black woman? I thought it was a Hispanic male. I have a hard time believing a woman would want to get involved in something like this, if only out of the basic urge for self-preservation.

[Joe Brower]

[ethical]

I bet he snapped more than one picture. Many of the mens faces are clear, one even videotaping the victims trauma while he laughs, almost has his camera up her. Remember the liberals that were pushing the "Good Samaritan" law? Mostly directed at boys who did not intervene in a fight or report a crime. I did not support it (you can't force people by law to be brave or helpful) and I don't think it passed here in Washington but I have not heard one liberal complain about how this "photographer" just stood by and did nothing.

[ethical]

I agree that it is an Hispanic male not a woman.

[ZULU]

A presstitute in his natural element, spreading slime.

[codebreaker]

I also see an Asian woman in the picture.

[WellsFargo94]

Look again, there are women in the photo too!!!

[CaptBlack]

I believe that is a black woman groping a breast in the top middle portion of the screen..these people in the photo should be identified and thrown into jail along with the camerman.

what the freak?? what if it is a black woman? what's your point? Are they not ALL evil?

[cpdiii]

Racism is alive and well in this country. However now the majority of it is black or brown on white. This racism is the stock and trade of the the race hustlers like Jesse Jackson.

Before the liberal lukers (few they be) start flaming I would like to point out I am white and my wife is quite brown and hispanic.

[KansasGirl]

That is so sick and disgusting it makes me want to cry. Everyone of those pervs should be found, charged with sexual assault, and thrown in jail. Now I am depressed. What a pathetic existence this society is coming too. That photographer does not deserve an award but I *ss-kicking!!!

[glorygirl]

I wrote to the judge to complain and received this response today:

"I fully appreciate your position but I think it would be best that you know the conditions under which the photographer took this photo. He had been in the crowd where moments before a photographer had been trying to document events and he was half beaten to death. Mike Urban sought refuge in a higher position and obtained permission to photograph from someone's balcony before this incident took place. He only shot twelve frames -- it happened quickly and the woman then disappeared into the crowd.

The photograph was awarded because it showed exactly how these events can get out of control. The photo has already been given to the Seattle police in the hopes of finding the persons involved.

In making the decision on this photo the men AND women of this jury did not do it lightly. They are all professionals, extremely respected and people who understand full well the responsibility of the decisions they make. The photo and the ethics were discussed for days. They were certainly not out to give anyone 'a trill'. In the end, after much discussion and emotional debate, and after talking to a woman who had been gang raped at the age of 12 and is now a counseler to rape victims (who was in agreement that the photo should be published) we decided to go ahead with it.

The photo should what should not be tolerated in this country and the brutality of it was what struck everyone -- not the nudity. In fact the photo was chosen inspite of the nudity. We cannot make the public aware of what can only be classified as criminal behavior without making them think about it. This photo has certainly had that effect. And it was and is the hope of the committee to make a tough decision bring about changes in the way people behave and treat each other. I would hope that you visit the poynter website at www.poynter.org to read more about the judges decision, their comments and even the issue of double standards as to what we publish regarding foreign news vs domestic news."

Sincerely, Maria Mann

I think this does change the picture a bit. They probably should have explained it on the website a little better. And BTW, my vote goes to hispanic man.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Take another look at that crowd: Black, white, brown, yellow --
a multicultural group-grope --
a rainbow coalition of sexual assault --
a rape gang that looks like America!

This is America's future!

You forgot one thing.

Isn't Mardi Gras a CATHOLIC deal?

[zlala]

The woman's face was obsured, while the men's weren't, is due to the fact that the police are still trying to identify the people involved. Police are hoping those who see this pix will identify and call with names.

The molested woman has declined to file charges.

Once the photographer snapped the pix he called police (or maybe he had someone call while he snapped, I don't recall).

[Dakota gal in Seattle]

Sex always sells newspapers, magazines, and TV news shows.

Why should we expect those who work in this environment judge what is "news worthy"?