Shienga visual storytelling 2025

Shienga Visual storytelling  2025 Individual news Analysis Story 1 #Visual story telling #IVS2025 #UniMacIFT 

Date: 21st June, 2025.

News Agency: The Guardian 

Date: 17th June, 2025.

Headline: 

"Swedish ‘queen of trash’ jailed for dumping thousands of tonnes of toxic waste"

A court in Huddinge (Södertörn district) has sentenced Fariba Vancor—formerly Bella Nilsson, once CEO of Think Pink—to six years in prison for 19 counts of aggravated environmental crime, marking Sweden’s largest environmental offence case .

Vancor and her ex-husband Thomas Nilsson (sentenced to 3½ years) were convicted for orchestrating the illegal dumping of hundreds of thousands of tonnes (about 200,000 t) of toxic waste—including PCBs, lead, mercury, arsenic—across 19–21 locations in Sweden between 2015 and 2020  .

Think Pink was originally contracted to process construction and demolition waste but instead abandoned unsorted piles, some of which caught fire, releasing dangerous chemicals into air, soil, and water .

In the early 2010s, Vancor—then known as Bella Nilsson—launched a company with a name as bold as its mission: Think Pink. At a time when Sweden was leading the world in recycling and green innovation, her company quickly gained attention. With her husband, Thomas Nilsson, by her side, they promised a cheaper, faster way to dispose of construction and demolition waste.

They wore pink vests. Their trucks were pink. And to city councils and developers desperate for low-cost solutions, the brand stood out.

But behind the pink branding was a darker story

Communities across Sweden began noticing strange, unsightly mounds—giant piles of mixed rubble, insulation, pipes, plastics. In some places, the heaps caught fire. Children were told not to play near them. Farmers complained their wells smelled off. Experts found traces of mercury, lead, arsenic, even PCBs—toxic chemicals banned decades ago.

Still, Vancor insisted it was all legal. She appeared confident in media interviews, brushing off criticism and calling herself a “trailblazer.”

But as the mounds grew, so did the questions.

An employee inside Think Pink—contacted environmental officials. The shocking truth began to emerge: the company had dumped over 200,000 tonnes of hazardous waste at over 19 illegal sites across the country. In some cases, they simply buried the waste under fields or behind industrial lots, bypassing environmental regulations completely.

Prosecutors described it as a “pyramid scheme disguised as recycling”—accepting millions in contracts to dispose of waste responsibly, only to abandon it unsorted, untreated, and dangerous. 

After a trial that lasted months, with over 80 days of hearings, nearly 150 witnesses, and 692 pages of evidence, the court handed down its judgment. Vancor was convicted on 19 counts of aggravated environmental crime. Her ex-husband received 3½ years. Several former employees were also sentenced. Only one walked free.

In addition to the jail time, the court ordered the group to pay over 250 million SEK—more than £19 million—in damages for cleanup and environmental restoration.

Outside the courtroom, environmental activists welcomed the ruling. “This isn’t just about one woman,” said Greta Jonsson, a local campaigner. “It’s about the price we pay when profit comes before the planet.”

And as crews begin the long and expensive process of cleaning up the poisoned soil and polluted groundwater, one thing is clear:

The “Queen of Trash” built her empire on deception. And now, it’s the people—and the earth—that must pay the price.

Jessica Adwoa Osei

BABJ28018 

Shienga visual storytelling 2025 Individual news Analysis story 2 #IVS2025#UniMac_IFT #visual storytelling 

Date:21st June, 2025

News Agency:The Guardian 

Date:17th June 2025

The Headline:

"MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in step forward for reproductive rights."

 1. Does the image accurately represent the headline's message?

Yes, it does,The headline :

“MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in step forward for reproductive rights.”

The image shows a group of protesters holding a large pink banner that reads “FOR A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE – Abortion Rights.” This visually reinforces the core message of reproductive freedom and support for decriminalisation of abortion, which is exactly what the article's headline is about.

It captures the activism and public pressure behind the parliamentary decision and symbolizes the social movement pushing for legislative reform. The signs and slogans in the background (e.g. “Abortion is healthcare,” “We’ve moved on since 1861”) further connect the image to the historic vote to end criminal penalties for abortion.    

                                             

2. what emotions does the image evoke?(does it create urgency,sympathy or controversy).

The image evokes a combination of emotions, mainly centered on solidarity, empowerment, and urgency, with touches of sympathy—but not so much controversy on it's own.The image features everyday people  which humanizes the issue. It suggests that real women are affected by these laws, potentially evoking empathy from viewers.While abortion is a controversial topic globally, the image itself doesn’t provoke conflict visually  there’s no counter-protest, aggression, or distress.The atmosphere appears peaceful and focused on advocacy, rather than confrontation.

3.Is the image manipulated or biased?(does it frame the story in a particular way)

While not manipulated, the image is selectively framed to highlight the pro-choice side of the abortion debate. That makes it visually and emotionally biased, but not unfair — especially given that the article’s headline also celebrates the “step forward for reproductive rights.” It’s an example of how journalism uses imagery to support the tone and angle of the story.

4.How does composition affect storytelling?(consider framing, lightning and focus).

Composition plays a critical role in storytelling, especially in photojournalism. In the image, the framing, lighting, and focus all work together to convey a strong, clear message about activism and support for abortion right's. 

The composition of this image strengthens the narrative of empowerment, unity, and justice. Through deliberate framing, soft natural lighting, and a strong central focus, the photographer ensures the image does more than document — it advocates. In this way, composition doesn't just show the story, it shapes how we emotionally and intellectually recieve it.

5.Does the image add depth to the story or simply reinforce the headline. 

The image does both — but more powerfully reinforces the headline than it adds new depth.

In this way, the image visually echoes the headline’s message—making it more emotionally resonant and immediate.

It adds Some Depth but its Limited

While the image does not introduce new facts, it does humanize the issue, You see real people, not politicians or policy papers.The peaceful, purposeful atmosphere tells you this was a movement with moral urgency, not just a dry legislative update.

So while it emotionally enriches the story, it doesn’t expand its content or complexity much

The image powerfully reinforces the headline’s message with clarity and emotion. It adds emotional depth and human connection, It supports the story’s angle rather than developing it further.

6.would a different image change the reader's perception of the news?

Yes  a different image could significantly change the reader's perception of the news, even if the headline and article remain the same. The choice of image strongly shapes the tone, emotional response, and perceived balance of the story. The current image frames the news as a positive, rights-based victory supported by the public. A different image could tilt the perception toward conflict, legality, ethics, or division — even if the words stayed the same.

7.How does the image compare to others covering the same story? 

The image, by focusing on the protest, visually amplifies the social and emotional dimension of the story. In contrast, other images (like Reuters or AP parliamentary shots) emphasize the legislative context and institutional authority. Each choice subtly shifts the reader’s view—from a movement-driven win, to a political milestone, to a formal legal outcome.

8. Is the image culturally or politically significant (does it reflect societal biases).

Yes, the image is both culturally and politically significant — and it does reflect societal values and biases, particularly around gender rights, bodily autonomy, and political reform in the UK and beyond. 

Culturally significant because it ties into the UK’s long history of women’s rights and global feminist movements and Politically significant because it symbolizes grassroots influence on major legal reform. It also Reflects societal biases by visually promoting a pro-choice, rights-based narrative, while excluding opposing voices or nuance.

Jessica adwoa osei 

BABJ28018