Al Jazeera vs CNN

Iraq Court Delays Tariq Aziz trial (Al Jazeera)

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/68D304DF-E548-48BC-814D-B42FF7064426.htm

PERSONAL

When I look at this photo the first thing that comes to my mind is defense. Aziz appears to not agree with something someone is saying and is defending himself. He is obviously passionate because he is speeking with his hands. This photo does not look glamarous or photoshopped, it looks real.

HISTORICAL

The history of Aziz is that he is on trial for murdering 42 Iraqi’s for the control of prices over food. He was well known in Hussein’s former regime.

TECHNICAL

Lighting

I think that the lighting is just from the room, not purposely set up for the photo. You can see the reflection of the ceiling lights on his glasses. His face is fully lit so you can see him clearly. The cameraman is not trying to make him look distorted in any way, he is just presenting what is at hand

Composition

This is a bust shot. It appears to be cropped just to focus on Aziz. His hand is also in the photo showing an emphasis. If the photographer would have just captured his face I dont think it would have been the same. Though I dont think that it was chosen that the wall behind him is blue, I do think that it goes with his outfit which may be like a prison jumpsuit. This captures the criminal aspect. Again, though I dont think that it was intentional, the black frames of his glasses follow the curve of his black chair.

Symbolism/Vectors

I think that the photographer leaves his hand in the shot for emphasis as well as an index vector pointing to his face. Without the expression on his face you might not know what kind of response he has to this trial.

Ethical/Cultural/Critical

I do not feel that this image has a necessary message that it sends, I more feel that the story portrays the message. Though the image does give you a mental theory on Aziz, whatever you choose to think. If you just saw the image without the headline it would not be as impactful. Culturally, this photo probably has more emphasis in his homeland because they know more of Aziz.

Hussein’s deputy on trial over executions (CNN International)

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/29/tariq.aziz/index.html

PERSONAL

I personally think this picture makes Aziz appear angry. The picture does not say anything about where he is or what this is in relationship too.

HISTORICAL

The historical will be the same as the other picture from Al Jazeera. Though I dont think this photo was taken from the courthouse

TECHNICAL

Lighting

The lighting in this picture is very bright. There appears to be a backlight as well as a light that is reflecting off his glasses. Shadows are cast down from his glasses. There is a minimal drop off.

Composition

The photographer took an extreme close up. The shot does not allow for the viewer to see anything but his facial expression.

Symbolism/Vector

You can barely see that Aziz is wearing a suit which makes him appear more powerful. Also in the reflection of his glasses you can see a woman, who it is is unclear.

Ethical/Cultural/Critical

This again would be the same for the above picture.

COMPARISON

In reading both of these stories I have noticed a number of differences in each that depict “the other”.

CNN

The story on CNN emphasized that he was part of Hussein’s group, which was and sort of still is our enemy. Also, the article talks of the trial for a paragraph and then continues on for the rest of the story about car bombings and different war related stuff over in Iraq. The situations being described however are making them sound like they are attacking us and we are innocent. I just think that the sidestory of the war was unnecessary but yet added in to remind us that “they are the enemy”

Al Jazeera

There story also has spins too it. The first is in the caption of the photo reading “Aziz was number 25 on the US most wanted list after the Iraq invasion. This made it seem like the United States is out to get them and that he is already seen as a bad person so why even put him on trial. This version of the story also emphasizes Aziz’s age making him seem too old and frail to be having to endure this. And the closing paragraph again reminds the reader that he is on our list and that he will be  hung if found guilty. By grouping these together it makes it sound like the Americans are doing it for no reason.

Overall, both stories have been able to put a twist on their writing to make the other person sound bad. It is the same story but has been depicted in a very different way.