Moments of Clarity

If a picture is said to speak a thousand words, then how is photography a reliable component when potraying a message in the media. When viewed in a personal setting like family pictures and personal moments I can't see the same affect happening like the social reprecussions photography can have in the media. What can be said about clarity in photography and the media. Is there such a thing? When people of different culture, social class, religion express different perspectives of what they see then is it possible to have a universal truth to clarity?



Mike