Majority World seeks to promote indigenous photographers from developing countries
Promoting a fair trade policy in photojournalism, an Oxfordshire, England agency called Majority World plans to expand its representation of photographers and agencies from developing and southern hemisphere countries. The managers of Majority World hope to expose the Western media audience to the work of local photographers who have a more intimate knowledge of their societies than do the staff and freelance photographers sent in by the Western Media.
“The Western media tend to use their own staff, or commission western photographers, when covering foreign events, especially in Asia and South America,” says Rowan Watts, one of Majority World’s managing partners. “But these countries have a wealth of talent, who have the advantage of knowing their patch and the language, but perhaps more importantly, knowing the contacts who matter.”
Watts adds that giving local photojournalists the opportunity to disseminate their work in the West will improve the accuracy and even-handedness of the reporting. “Photos taken by Western media tend to sustain unwarranted stereotypes and one-sided news agendas,” he says, adding, “It is vital that we are shown a more balanced portrayal of life – one which casts light on the culture, traditions, society and people in question, and encouraging them to portray it in their own way.”
Majority World is registered as a “community interest company,” and profits from its photo sales and commissions after operating costs are ploughed back into supporting and promoting its photographers and agencies in over 40 countries. The agency also receives funding from UNESCO, Cooperative Financial Services, the Hidden Charitable Fund in the UK, and other private donations.
Web-site: MajorityWorld.org - Click here to view featured image.
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