Police and photographers
We've covered the concerns of amateur photographers about what they feel is heavy-handed policing. Professional photographers are also unhappy with their treatment by the police. The on their behalf, and now they've released this video:
More on .
We focused on amateur photographers in our earlier piece, while the NUJ, as befits a union, are concerned with professionals, makes the connection:
If professional photographers, who regularly document political demonstrations and protests feel intimidated, then what about the "chilling effect" on the freedom of members of the public who might try to snap a picture on their mobile phone or digital camera?
Indeed it would be an interesting experiment to see how "" projects like might fare in the UK.
Back in April, iPM heard from the Labour MP Austin Mitchell who had put down which specifically addressed amateur photographers. It urges:
...the Ö÷²¥´óÐã 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.
There is already an ACPO code , which clearly sets out the rights of the media, but there's a growing number of photographers who operate somewhere between the hobbyist of Mitchell's EDM and professionals represented by the NUJ. Quite what their status should be is an open question, but an important one.
If you've a thought on this do email - the subject is on our list of ideas under consideration for Saturday's show
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