De-ringing operation for image processing. A selective image processing means is presented herein by which high frequency content is preserved while also eliminating ringing within digital images, and this is achieved without introducing aliasing. Based on the analysis of neighboring pixels, one or more of multiple filter modules and/or multiple image filtering/rocessing means is/are selectively applied to generate an output sample for a given pixel location. Two measures (e.g., local activity (LA) and edge strength (ES)) are calculated based on processing at least two different groups of pixels near a desired output sample. One of these groups of pixels may be a subset of another of the groups of pixels. By analyzing these two measures (e.g., LA and ES), selective processing of pixels near the desired output location ensures that high frequency content within the digital image is preserved with substantially reduced and/or eliminated ringing therein.