Images, Reality and Truth: Some Philosophical Considerations

Developments in technology and communications haveenhanced the status and role of imaging. They haveresulted not just in the excellent quality of images but alsoin the speed and ease of distributing or communicatingthem. But with the welcome advances have also comeundesirable and even threatening consequences for bothindividuals and society. These have presented challengesand issues which need to be addressed urgently. Focusingfirst on the tension between image and reality, it providesa philosophical background to the debate. It thendiscusses the question of truth and the related issues ofthe right to know, freedom of speech and privacy. Itprovides the foundation for these fundamental rights butalso examines the tensions or conflicts in their exercise. Italso discusses some guidelines to deal with thesechallenges and issues; namely, the criteria ofappropriateness and acceptability and the importance ofaccountability. It suggests that in addition, given thefrailty of human nature and the lessons of history, societyalso needs the support of laws and policies