Welcome to the real world!

Yet another year, and it’s the same story, as always. The statement is now official. Photojournalism is dying. Photojournalism has died. Photojournalism is dead.

Even in these difficult times for professional photographers, with the drastic cut in the number of magazine assignments, reductions in rates paid, and the boom in pictures with no royalties or rights, Perpignan is still there, for the 21st festival,
and is, more so than ever before, an absolute must for everyone involved in photojournalism, and for everyone who appreciates it.

Visa pour l'Image is a focal point for the best photos produced, discovering them, rediscovering them, presenting them and showcasing them. The mounting success of the Festival attracting the general public is evidence of the genuine interest in the history of the world, even though the major media do their best to show less and less, preferring lighter news and trivia.

One amazing example, and almost a caricature, is the death of Michael Jackson. There's no need to say yet again that he was a great artist, he was sui generis, a real personality, attractive, endearing and disturbing, a multi-faceted and therefore enigmatic character. He had millions of fans around the world, and they, quite logically, have been in mourning. But for ten or more days, there was no other news. Is that reasonable? Well, at the risk of making a few more enemies, let's ask the challenging question: is one death in Los Angeles worth the blackout on everything and everyone else in the world? Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, Darfur - No, thank-you! Please die discreetly, because the self-proclaimed "King of Pop" has a stranglehold on the news. When Michael Jackson dies, it is obviously a news story, but when it is the only news story, surely things have gone crazy. Where is the hierarchy of news so recently taught in all the best schools of journalism? Does the term "ethics" mean anything?

Perpignan presents the world as it is, there in exhibitions and in the evening screening programs.

Welcome to the real world!

Jean-François Leroy