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The graphic image debate.

2/17/2017

12 Comments

 
​An interesting debate occurred on our Facebook page after we removed a petition post, which contained a very graphic image of a slaughtered orangutan.
Prior to its removal, we noticed many comments from upset people over the image.  
We had also received many notifications that the post had been reported to Facebook. 
The debate became a damned if you do, damned if you don’t scenario.  People were upset because it had been posted.  People were upset because it was removed. 

So, this has inspired me to write our first blog. 

When is an image too upsetting to post?

We always assess an image prior to posting.  There have been many times over the years where the decision has been made to not share something to our page due to the distressing content.  
We are sensitive individuals ourselves and use this to assess a post before sharing to our page. However, we are also aware that due to the extremely graphic content we see often from the NGO’s on the front line, that we have become somewhat immune.  
This recent post of an important petition to the RSPO, sat borderline with us.  It was too important to not share, so we posted it.

Many believe that graphic content must be shown to spur people into action for a cause.   Yes, that is true.  But at the same time, it can also turn people away.   I myself have un-liked many pages due to graphic images constantly posted. Sometimes it’s just too much.  The result being, I lose track of that cause.  I never forget as it is embedded in my mind, but I cease receiving updates when there is a call to action.  

Yet I am also reminded as to how and why I started POI. 
4 years ago, a distressing image of a burnt orangutan was doing the rounds on Facebook.  Every day this image would appear in my feed and every day I would hide it.  The image of this poor creature that was still alive at the time the image was taken.  Laying with his arms over his head and his skin burnt from his body.  This photo was haunting me.  All I knew was that this incident was related to palm oil.  I didn’t know how or why. In fact, I didn’t even know what palm oil was.  One of my friends posted a status, pleading her friends to please cease sharing that image into her news feed.  
It was that day, 27th March 2013 that I commented on her status.  Stating that I was going to research palm oil, find out what it was and why that orangutan had suffered so because of it.  Within an hour of my comment, I found out that palm oil was an ingredient in products that I had been buying.  I felt that I had unwillingly contributed to the suffering of that orangutan. 
I made a promise on my friend’s status that I would find a way to get the word out without having to use that image.  That is the day that POI was born.

Telling people to just scroll past an upsetting image, or hide it from feed is not the best way to deal with something that distresses people.  Nor is telling them that they have their head in the sand if they cannot cope with an image that is upsetting or graphic.  We must learn compassion for our fellow human beings and understand that many suffer depression.  To scroll past, or hide an image from your news feed means you must see it to begin with.  Once you see something, you cannot un-see it.  For many, these images can cause a downward spiral into the depths of despair, trauma and a feeling of utter helplessness.   It’s not that people don’t want to see distressing images because they don’t care.  They don’t want to see them because they do care, and seeing these things can be just too much for a person to be able to cope with.

About 3 years ago, I remember Facebook changed their settings where videos in news feed automatically played.  A friend had shared a video and just titled it cruel.  That video played as I scrolled through my feed.  I clearly remember that the video length was just over 20 mins long.  I had seen no more than 8 seconds before I scrambled for the stop button.  In panic I slammed my laptop shut.  8 seconds was all it took to totally traumatise me to the point where I took almost 2 weeks off.  I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t function.  What I had seen would not leave my mind, and the remaining footage that I had not seen started to play out in my head.  To this day, I am still traumatised by that footage.   

When it comes to photographs of upsetting images, the imagination often takes over and pieces together the scenario that led to the state of the deceased, suffering or tortured animal.  That alone can cause trauma to some people.  

Social media is a platform which is not only used by adults, but also children.  It is important for us to be mindful of what we post and share.  We know that some images are graphic in content and feel that they should be shared.  But there are others that are just too graphic for us to force into our follower’s news feed without warning.  We do our best to use our own sensitivity meter to assess what is appropriate, and what may not be.  

What works for some, doesn’t necessarily work for others.


Picture
12 Comments
Susan Manning link
2/17/2017 06:20:16 pm

Thanks for your comments. You are right - people have different tolerance levels to graphic images - I have almost none, and frequently have to turn off the news , and prime time TV shows because of real or fictional violence and cruelty. I cant watch some of David Attenborough docs. I rarely go to movies. I hold graphic images in my head for years and relive them without warning. But I want to know, because I care deeply about putting unacceptable human behaviour into the spotlight in the hope of changing it. So, I'd say - post the image, just do it in a way that people like me can respond -eg by signing petitions _ without having to see the image. Some people need to see it to get them angry enough to take action.

Reply
Yvonne Fessler
2/17/2017 06:26:33 pm

Yes, the image was graphic but it was so heartbreaking to see how this lovely orangutan had finished his life. Keep posting the images with a warning - many FB pages give the option of whether or not we want to see what is happening to animals all over the world. That way it's our choice.
And please keep up the good work of letting us know what products to use and those to avoid due to palm oil.
Thank you.

Reply
Bev Warwick
2/17/2017 06:40:03 pm

At the end of the day people just need to know .

Reply
Kat
2/17/2017 10:18:17 pm

I found the image too graphic. I am studying marketing communications and while I understand the premise behind needing to shock people into action, it isn't necessarily effective. The problem is all your posts show up on my feed and when you are not prepared for something like that, it is extremely distressing. It made me angry and although I would never report it, I almost had to unfollow. I always make sure when I post petitions that I first offer a warning for a link I post and never just include a distressing picture that pops up when someone might already be having a terrible day and is not in a position to process it in an effective way that will urge them to take action. I find this is the case for many of my very dedicated animal lover friends and many have had to unfriend others who consistently post pictures of skinned animals and the like. This doesn't mean we avoid the topic and reality and don't want to be involved. We tend to be sensitive people by nature and honestly the world is so dark now that there should be some sensitivity in how the topic is approached so that you don't alienate your main supporters.

Reply
Lorinda Jane
2/17/2017 10:33:41 pm

Yes we agree Kat. Which is why I wrote this piece.

Reply
Matt Johnson
2/17/2017 11:27:09 pm

I actually shared that post, then deleted it, fearing It would upset too many people. Sadly, the truth hurts but sometimes it is the only way to spur action. This time I fear it may have pushed people away from a cause that is just so tragic and urgent.

In around 9 years time, there won't be any Orangutan left in the wild. Everyone will be sad and say "why didn't the Government do something about it", then go back to their packet of palm oil soaked chips, dips, breads, cakes, convenience meals, shampoos, dog wash, whatever...and it will just be another tragic, avoidable, devastating mistake in humanity's long list of massive failures.

Best we collect as many orphaned Orangutan babies as we can and create sanctuaries. The wild is no place for them anymore.

Sad

Reply
Christine Eustaquio
2/18/2017 01:18:16 am

I cannot sromach graphic images but i understand why they needxto be posted. When i fear that a video will be too distressing to watch, i choose not to watch but i still sign whatever petition it is promoting. Sometimes people need to jilted out of their comfort zone, as longvascit is not done on a daily basis
One can only stomach so much cruelty in a day/week/month. Thank for this article.

Reply
Cynthia Waters
2/18/2017 02:05:07 am

When I first saw the post and photograph, I did not realise what I was seeing except it was extremely distressing and so quickly moved on. I have reached saturation point with the horror and cruelty in the world and can't take much more. I am so thankful that there are people like POI who continue day after day, year after year advocating for the animals against enormous odds.

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    Lorinda Jane
    Founder and President.
    Palm Oil Investigations

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