Discussions of group: Hot Black

The freedom to photograph cops at risk?

nobody@ipernity.com (fotdmike) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:44:00 +0000

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Read Terror Law and Photography on photojournalist Marc Vallee's blog.

Worrying implications indeed!

Government to re-examine anti-terror guidance

nobody@ipernity.com (fotdmike) — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:18:14 +0000

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"Police officers are expected to be issued with fresh guidance in a government bid to ensure they do not abuse their stop-and-search powers under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Home Office outlined the plans after a police body complained that officers are not sufficiently trained in how to correctly apply anti-terror legislation when dealing with photographers.

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Peter Smyth said that officers are 'not properly trained in this legislation and that is probably leading to misunderstandings'."

Read the full article at amateurphotographer.co.uk

Photorights.org

nobody@ipernity.com (Gary Austin) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:49:39 +0000

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Editorial Photographers UK (EPUK) A pro based discussion group are so concerned over infringement of photographers rights they have launched www.photorights.org to keep track of access denial incidents and try and provide some basic information about what photographers may legally do.

This service is not just for the seasoned pro, but for anyone who wants to legally take photos in public places

So far, these incidents are getting recorded piecemeal, if at all, at dozens of different locations, where everybody grumbles for a bit and then gives up.

Photorights is open to pro’s and amateurs as both groups are encountering problems, and wants to become *the* UK access monitoring site, so we can amass evidence for effective use, press reporting of the issue, and public debate.

So if you have problems with police, private security, members of the public or jobsworths please report it in the forums.

So if you use a Canon G9 or any other camera; go and bookmark this site now, you never know when you might need it!

www.photorights.org

Seems its not just the UK...

nobody@ipernity.com (fotdmike) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:20:24 +0000

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From New Zealand...

"Members of the Commonwealth Press Union's (CPU) media freedom committee today warned that the bill risked stifling the media's right to cover crime scenes.

CPU chairman Tim Pankhurst said clauses that allowed police extremely wide discretion to close roads near crime scenes were too broad and were open to abuse by officers who wanted to keep the media out.

Police already had enough powers to protect crime scenes.

Mr Pankhurst, editor of The Dominion Post, said many police already failed to follow police general instructions relating to crime scene cordons and were overzealous in keeping media out.

In some cases police singled out reporters and photographers from other members of the public and told them they were not allowed near.

"We would like police procedure to acknowledge and give greater emphasis to the crucial and legitimate role the media plays in a democracy - it acts as the public's eyes and ears."

He said the mainstream media's existing rights should be recognised explicitly in either the bill or in police general instructions."

www.stuff.co.nz

Austin Mitchell MP Early Day Motion condemning police action against lawful photography

nobody@ipernity.com (fotdmike) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:06:23 +0000

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From One Eye on the Road

"A Labour MP (Mitchell, Austin) has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons condemning police action against lawful photography in public places.

His EDM reads as such:

That this House is concerned to encourage the spread and enjoyment of photography as the most genuine and accessible people’s art; deplores the apparent increase in the number of reported incidents in which the police, police community support officers (PCSOs) or wardens attempt to stop street photography and order the deletion of photographs or the confiscation of cards, cameras or film on various specious ground such as claims that some public buildings are strategic or sensitive, that children and adults can only be photographed with their written permission, that photographs of police and PCSOs are illegal, or that photographs may be used by terrorists; points out that photography in public places and streets is not only enjoyable but perfectly legal; regrets all such efforts to stop, discourage or inhibit amateur photographers taking pictures in public places, many of which are in any case festooned with closed circuit television cameras; and urges the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers to agree on a photography code for the information of officers on the ground, setting out the public’s right to photograph public places thus allowing photographers to enjoy their hobby without officious interference or unjustified suspicion."

Home Office Minister reasserts photographers' rights

nobody@ipernity.com (fotdmike) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:55:28 +0000

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From Curly's Corner Shop...

“There is no legal restriction on photography in public places, and there is no presumption of privacy for individuals in a public place.

It is for the Chief Constable to ensure that Officers and Police Community Support Officers are acting appropriately with regards to photography in public places, and any queries regarding this should be addressed to the Chief Constable.

However decisions may be made locally to restrict photography, for example to protect children. Any questions on such local decisions should also be addressed to the force concerned.”

Read the full blog post here

Shooters beware: the risk of taking photos in a post-9/11 world

nobody@ipernity.com (fotdmike) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:08:14 +0000

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"The world is full of so many cameras in so many forms these days that there are bound to be those who misuse the technology. With the proliferation of camera phones and smaller and smaller point and shoot type cameras it is almost a guarantee that in any public gathering place there will be dozens of cameras policepresent. Here in the states a few months ago there was a major bridge collapse in the state of Minnesota that happened right in the middle of the evening rush hour. In a matter of minutes after the collapse people were already sending in on-the-scene photos of the disaster from their cars and the surrounding apartments. The abundance of photographic tools is so great that the major news organizations of the day like CNN, and MSNBC routinely ask their viewers to send in any photos they might have of newsworthy events to their websites. This makes a lot of sense, especially from a news company standpoint, because they not only get more up-to-date photos but they also don’t have to pay anyone to do it, it’s all on a volunteer basis. And people love the idea of having their blurry little camera phone photo flashing around on CNN all hours of the day!

"But this abundance of cameras also has a down-side to it because of the heightened threat of terrorist attacks throughout the world. Government agencies, corporations, and people in general have become more and more suspicious of photographers. You already have to have written permission to take photos in most public buildings like museums or offices (and even then, you can’t shoot with a tripod while in the building). But more and more people are reporting being harassed by security officials while taking pictures in front of or even near government buildings, airports, and public areas."

Read the full post at Proud Photography Blog

Innocent photographer or terrorist?

nobody@ipernity.com (Gary Austin) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:17:40 +0000

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Misplaced fears about terror, privacy and child protection are preventing amateur photographers from enjoying their hobby, say campaigners.
Read more on the BBC>>
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7351252.stm

Harassed taking photos?

nobody@ipernity.com (fotdmike) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:05:05 +0000

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If you've been harassed by police or security-types whilst taking photos, share the story here, and share the photos with the group.