Guest Comments by Matthieu Rytz

Editor's Note: In 2008, the writer founded Anthropographia (Anthropographia.com), a non-profit organization advocating visual storytelling to promote human rights.

MONTREAL, Canada – Many people would say that photojournalism is dying. But what proof exists? Maybe just the opposite lies closer to the truth.

I believe that photojournalism (and photography in general) never has been stronger. The economic modes of traditional publication and distribution are changing so the meaning of photojournalism may need redefining too. But why not open new spaces for dialogue and continue to promote photography as a powerful advocacy tool? Definitely, photography can raise general awareness and share otherwise-forgotten stories.

As proof of photojournalism's ongoing power, we have results of the 2011 Anthropographia Awards for Human Rights. In the photo-essay category, Christian Vium wins for a project titled Clandestine about the human migration from West Africa to Europe. It portrays the problems for migrants as they try to leave familiar lives for foreign countries that may be disorientating and violent.

The multimedia-category award goes to Chien-Chi Chang/Magnum for his project, Escape from North Korea, dealing with people fleeing from North to South Korea via China, Laos, and Thailand. Such a journey can take a few days or years, always full of danger and fear of repatriation.

Anthropographia, a volunteer-run, non-profit organization, promotes visual storytellers who strive to tell human stories to the world. We want to abolish certain disciplinary borders. Why regard photojournalists and artists as different? Methodologies may vary, but ultimately the narrative comes first.

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