The National Press Photographers Association has condemned Newsweek magazine's use of an altered photograph of Martha Stewart on its March 7 cover, calling it a major ethical breach. Stewart's head had been superimposed upon the body of a model who was photographed separately in a Los Angeles studio.

Despite the fact that Newsweek ran a page 3 disclaimer calling the cover image an illustration, the association is concerned that the average reader will not realize that Stewart's body does not appear in the photograph.

"The public often distrusts the media, and this just gives them one more reason," said NPPA president Bob Gould. "This type of practice erodes the credibility of all journalism, not just one publication."