Please sign and share this petition worldwide to let ESPN know that it is wrong to alter and touch up photos without the explicit, written consent of the subject! Just as it is wrong to film or photograph anyone without their knowledge and permission, it is also wrong to touch up a photo without permission.
Recently, Rapper Nicki Minaj appeared in the “Music Issue” of ESPN's magazine alongside Kobe Bryant, and was displeased to see the photos had been altered after the photo shoot. The magazine had actually made her forehead longer! She states that she was happy with her personal un-retouched photos without her forehead mysteriously growing in length. Subtle changes to retouch a photo may be warranted in these situations, but this retouching actually completely changed Ms. Minaj's physical features.
The editors of these magazines think they have the right to alter and edit images of models and celebrities without their consent -- and that's wrong. If they feel a photo needs to be touched up, the right method is to bring it to the attention of the person whose picture will be published nationwide and get their permission for any changes made!
Celebrities are proud to be a part of the ESPN magazine limelight and the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Chad Millman stated that, "The folks on our covers are too proud of their bodies to stand for that. The forehead Ms. Minaj walked in with is the one on the cover and we're thrilled she participated.” However, Ms. Minaj is not content with the fact that the photos were unknowingly altered.
No one would be happy with such changes without their knowledge and permission; this issue is quite the same with those who are in the public eye. Please sign and share this petition worldwide to let ESPN that it is wrong to alter and touch up photos without the explicit, written consent of the subject!
ESPN – You have a huge following and any celebrity is honored to be presented on and in your magazine. However, it does not give you the right to alter anyone’s photos from the time of the photo shoot without the explicit consent of the person. You must consider the rights of the individual; everyone has rights as to what is and is not published. If you need or want to make changes to a photo for your magazine, ensure you get the full written consent of the professional so that they are as happy with the end result as you and the readers will be!
