NPPA: National Press Photographers Association

National Press Photographers Association is a professional association composed of photographers, videographers, editors and journalism students. The U.S association was  founded in 1946 by American photographer Joseph Costa, and is currently based in the Grady College of Journalism And Mass Media at UGA.

The NPPA takes the authenticity and accuracy of their work very seriously. They believe that it is the job of every professional photo journalist to use their skills to help everyone better understand the information they are provided about the myriad of current events that are reported on daily. The organization's website has the following statement of purpose:

"The National Press Photographers Association, a professional society dedicated to the advancement of photojournalism, acknowledges concern and respect for the public's natural-law, right to freedom in searching for the truth and the right to be informed truthfully and completely about public events and the world in which we live. NPPA believes that no report can be complete if it is possible to enhance and clarify the meaning of the words. We believe that pictures, whether used to depict news events as they actually happen, illustrate news that has happened, or to help explain anything of public interest, are indispensable means of keeping people accurately informed, that they help all people, young and old, to better understand any subject in the public domain. NPPA recognizes and acknowledges that photojournalists should at all times maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct in serving the public interest."

This purpose statement is very fitting considering that anyone that is familiar with the National Press Photographers Association is also familiar with their very strict code of ethics that every member of the association is expected to respect and follow. The code of ethic includes statements such as "It is the individual responsibility of every photojournalist all times to strive for pictures that report truthfully, honestly and objectively." and even mission statements like "It is our duty to encourage and assist all members of our profession, individually and collectively, so that the quality of photojournalism may constantly be raised to higher standards." 

The NPPA is very involved in advocating for the First Amendment rights of both photo and video journalists. They believe that journalism is "essential" and that their work doesn't just benefit them but the public as a whole.

• In 2019 the organization was a part of several lawsuits to defend photographers First Amendment rights against unconstitutional laws

• In June 2020 they were involved with supporting Journalists who were injured or arrested while in the field by partnering with the Press Freedom Defense Fund.

Queen Annes Revenge ship wreckage. (Photo courtesy of National Geographic)

• The NPPA, among 13 other organizations, were in support of photographer Frederick Allen after pictures he took of the shipwreck of Queen Anne's Revenge were used by the state of NC. Allen sued for copyright infringement while the state court dismissed the case due to CRCA, in 2019 the case went to the Supreme Court which deemed that CRCA was unconstitutional according to the first and fifth article of the constitution.

For more on the NPPA and it's advocacy work please visit their website here 

The six key objectives of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) are as follows:

1. To advance press photography in all its branches
2. To promote the general welfare and conditions in the press photography field
3. To create, promote, and maintain cordial relations and cooperation, a higher spirit of fraternalism, the interchange of thought and opinion freely, and a high standard of conduct among its members
4. To distribute and disseminate accurate information in regard to matters pertaining to the photographic press of the nation
5. To settle equitably and justify the differences between its members
6. To preserve, stabilize, unify, and coordinate all elements of the photographic press of the nation

(Courtesy of the NPPA)

The NPPA has the goal of protecting the first amendment right of journalists in order to best serve the general public and provide essential information to simplify interpretation of daily reported current events. The mission of the NPPA is a noble one because they are holding the government accountable for the constitution it is mean to uphold.