The Ghost of Snapped Shot

These two photographs, taken by Reuters stringer Yiannis Behrakis and AP photographer Nasser Ishtayeh, appear to have been taken at the exact same second. Notice the position of the gentleman in green, along with where the stones are in their flight. It's identical in both angles.

This raises a question that I never tire of asking:

If we have so many photographers over in the Palestinian territories that we get essentially identical shots of every single scene--or at least, every scenes that the well-organized protesters want the press to see--from multiple wire agencies, then what value are the news services themselves actually providing to news consumers?

Could it be that the Associated Press really is happy running photos which are, for all intents and purposes, cheap copies of the shots sent across by Reuters?

Alternately, does Reuters imagine itself as a news agency that offers a product that's totally indistinguishable from the competitors' work?

I can't imagine either statement is true -- yet this continues to be exactly what we get in our coverage of the Palestinian territory.

Why do you suppose that is?

Sound off down below, I'd definitely love to hear your ideas.

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Top:

Demonstrators throw stones at Israeli troops positioned on the other side of the controversial Israeli barrier during a protest in the West Bank village of Nilin December 4, 2009. Israeli soldiers used tear gas canisters, stun grenades and small-bore calibre live rounds to disperse some 150 Palestinian protesters. A Palestinian demonstrator was moderately wounded after being shot by Israeli soldiers. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis (WEST BANK POLITICS CONFLICT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Bottom:

Palestinian demonstrators hurl stones at Israeli soldiers, not seen, during a demonstration against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Nilin near Ramallah, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.(AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)

 Tags: AP REUTERS yiannis behrakis nasser ishtayeh #NewsInFocus