The other day the Hong Kong Free Press reported that “sensitive” images for the protests in Hong Kong had been removed, but that the finalists were still in the running for a prize. The removal of World Photography Organisation (WPO) photos by Hong Kong photographer Ko Chung-ming are part of a series titled Wounds of Hong Kong and it is a disturbing development that will likely lower the prestige of the contest going forward.
The collection featured ten images showing injuries and scars received during the pro-democracy protests in the Documentary category, which aren’t particularly unusual during times of instability. Many sites have weighed in on the decision in a critical way and I think it is important that everyone in photography stand up for Ko Chung-ming’s work. I hope that the Sony World Photography Awards decide to do the right thing and I hope we do not see more of this in the future.
via HKFP