Police Powers Allows Them To Stop You Photographing Them

Posted on February 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

New “anti-terrorism” measures came in to force yesterday. Alas, the wording is so loose, that it will allow Police to stop you taking pictures of them. This is a huge issue and completely tramples on the freedom of press. Two main issues come forth with this; firstly, if you are covering a demonstration or a riot, the Police can object to you photographing them and you can get arrested. This will put a stop to reporting a situation honestly and properly, and aesthetically will result in pictures of demonstrators with nothing to balance things out with. Secondly, if you’re in a situation where you see a Police officer doing something wrong, you won’t be allowed to photograph them. Its an outrage. Basically, the Police will be able to arrest all photographers in a given situation, ending up in no visual record of what happens.

The big problem is how loosely the wording is on the new measures; its up to individual officers to use their judgement on the scene. In my 20 years on the streets as a news photographer I’ve across many descent, honest and mature Police officers. Sadly I have also come across a fair number of idiots who do not have the mental ability to handle the power, responsibility and importance the job of a Police officer entails.
If we’re at the mercy of the latter kind, which sadly seems to increase by number as years go by, then many news assignments just cannot be covered properly any more.
I urge you to write to your MPs and to the papers objecting these ridiculous new powers. Its ridiculous that a press photographer with a press card can be considered a terrorist. One would assume that a terrorist would probably use a discreet camera phone or a hidden camera and not a couple of pro DSLRs and lenses.

Further Reading:




This entry was posted in News, Photography, viewpoint. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.