Mandatory iPhone Photography

The Chicago Sun-Times announced that it had laid off its entire photojournalism staff and would rely on freelance photographers and reporters instead.

The Sun-Times plans to rely on reporters to take photos and videos and has begun mandatory “iPhone photography basics.” Its decision is just the latest example of a disconcerting trend in American media: professional photojournalism is being downsized and devalued, with news organizations increasingly turning to wire services, citizen-submitted content and independent/freelance contributions.