Photojournalists call out PGMN over unauthorized photo use

Photojournalists and media practitioners criticized Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) over its unauthorized use of a photograph and its subsequent remarks toward the photographer who took the image.

The controversy erupted after PGMN posted a photograph showing Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, 29 September.

The photograph was taken by DAILY TRIBUNE photojournalist Aram Lascano.

“LOOK: The cameraman goes in and out of focus for two people who adore each other,” PGMN wrote in its caption accompanying the photograph.

Lascano called out the network in a Facebook post, writing, “Aga-aga, nanakaw kayo ng picture, (It’s still early, and you’re already stealing photos)” and demanded that the photograph be taken down.

PGMN responded in the comments, calling Lascano an “amateur” and denying that it had stolen the photograph. The network claimed that the image had been circulating in group chats and argued that its use of the photo was covered by “fair use.”

The exchange drew criticism from fellow photojournalists and media practitioners, who rallied behind Lascano and questioned PGMN’s handling of the photograph and its interpretation of fair use.

Photojournalist Ezra Acayan criticized the network, writing: “Peanut Butter Media steals photo then goes on to insult photographer they stole from. Galit sa magnanakaw pero magnanakaw din.”

DAILY TRIBUNE head photographer Yummie Dingding likewise demanded that PGMN remove the photograph as she highlighted a broader problem faced by photojournalists whose work is taken and republished without permission.

“Within the same month, photos taken by my colleagues were used without permission more than once. In one case, the logo was even cropped out. In another, a photograph was taken and repurposed for social commentary that had nothing to do with the photographer’s original intent or assignment,” Dingding said.

She stressed that photographs available online are not automatically free for anyone to use, adding that proper permission and attribution cannot simply be replaced by “CTTO,” or “credit to the owner.”

Dingding also explained that photographs distributed through media pools are subject to specific arrangements governing their use.

“A photograph distributed through a media pool is shared under the rules and arrangements of that particular pool or press corps. It is meant for the participating or authorized members and organizations covered by that arrangement,” she said.

“If you are not part of that pool, you cannot simply grab the photograph from a member’s website or social media account and assume you are entitled to use it,” Dingding added.

The incident has renewed concerns among media practitioners over the unauthorized use of photojournalists’ work online and the need to respect photographers’ ownership and established rules on the use and distribution of news photographs.