Photographer Has Invite Revoked From World Press Photo Foundation Awards After Allegations of Misconduct

Photographer Has Invite Revoked From World Press Photo Foundation Awards After Allegations of Misconduct

For the first time in its 60-year history, the World Press Photo Foundation has revoked a photographer’s invite after it emerged he has been accused of “inappropriate behavior.” His flight, accommodation, and invite to the ceremony and festival were all canceled.

Andrew Quilty had submitted photographs of the aftermath of a bombing in Kabul, which won third place in the Spot News, Stories category. But according to Lars Boering, managing director of the World Press Photo Foundation, Quilty was not at the ceremony in Amsterdam.

The World Press Photo Foundation believes visual journalism needs its community to be united against discrimination and harassment. Our protocol is that when we learn from reliable sources that someone associated with us has allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior, we take action. Because of our protocol, we called him on April 2 to say he was not welcome at our Awards Show and Festival. We canceled his invitation to the Awards Show, the Festival, and his flight and accommodation.

However, Boering clarified Quilty’s award would not be revoked, on the basis that they don’t have the authority to do so. Given the nature of the contest and all entries being submitted (and awarded) anonymously, the jury was unaware of Quilty’s misconduct when ranking photos. Regardless, Boering insisted they would be “reviewing [their] rules for the 2020 contest.”

Organizers failed to disclose the nature of the accusations. Quilty did respond, though, claming World Press Photo hadn’t disclosed the details of the reports received. He said:

No allegations of inappropriate behavior have been made known to me. As a supporter of my female colleagues and the #MeToo movement, I would frankly and openly address any concerns about my conduct, if raised.

Lead image credit: chuttersnap on Unsplash.

Jack Alexander's picture

A 28-year-old self-taught photographer, Jack Alexander specialises in intimate portraits with musicians, actors, and models.

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14 Comments

Maybe it's a Nancy Kerrigan - Tanya Harding moment...

Could have been anything from a personal spat between him and an organiser, to him failing to recognise someone's chosen gender, to some heinous crime. Too hard to know what to make of this article.

The Org: "The World Press Photo Foundation believes visual journalism needs its community to be united against discrimination and harassment. " - so it could be discrimination or harassment based on religion, race, gender, sexual harassment, sexual orientation based discrimination or even ageism.....

The Tog: "No allegations of inappropriate behavior have been made known to me. As a supporter of my female colleagues and the #MeToo movement, I would frankly and openly address any concerns about my conduct, if raised."

So if no allegations/details have been made known to him why does he assume that it is gender/sexual harassment related??

It is one of those "damned if you do and damned if you don't" things. How would anyone have him respond to an unknown accusation serious enough to have him banned from an event?

Dan Merchant--because that's what "inappropriate behavior" usually means--"behavior" as opposed to some other expression of bigotry.

No, inappropriate behavior is not always sexual, and that's not always where my mind goes.

x

Thank you so much for not using the word "disinvite" As featured in a similar report on a slightly less classy photography forum.

As a non-native speaker - just out of curiosity - what is the issue with "disinvite"?

“un,” suggests to “undo” something that was done. “Dis” suggests to do/be the opposite of what follows.

Since he was already invited, then what happened is that he was un-invited. What was done, was now un-done. If he was prevented from appearing in the first place, then they could say that he was dis-allowed entry, which is more than simply passively not allowed to enter, but actively prevented from entering.

...accused of “inappropriate behavior.”

I mere accusation can ruin a person's career. Once again, we are in frightening times.

Have you now, or have you ever been ...

Yet another piece of poorly researched non-news, presented n a sensational manner, to collect viewers that might just click on the adverts. Disgraceful.

"it was an honor just to be nominated..." haha

So we're cancelling invitations now because of gossip rather than proof of "misconduct" or, you know, an actual crime and an indictment. My aren't we hypersensitive and signalling our virtue. #MobSanctimony