"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.