Photographers Rights

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Has anyone else seen this

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=836646

[Ian]

Re: Photographers Rights

Has anyone else seen this

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/sho...ml?page=836646

I think there is some latitude for police officers to abuse this modification to the law, but as it's completely aimed at individuals who would be under legitimate suspicion of a tendency towards terrorism, I would guess that practically all of us here would be outside that criteria, so any police officer who felt this amendment would be the basis for abusing photographer would be pretty stupid.

Ian

[JonMikal]

Re: Photographers Rights

here's one i keep handy. i'm not sure how much if any would apply in your world, but it comes in handy here in the usa.

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

[devilgas]

Re: Photographers Rights

i love the bit "you were intimidating me". perhaps being a copper is the wrong line of work for that particular individual?

the wording of the amendment is sufficiently woolly to prejudice the taking of photos where police, forces or intelligence services may be identified. it does state "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism", the key words being "likely to be useful". this is the woolly bit that is completely open to any interpretation (as shown by the cited example) and can be made to cover any photo, be it photojournalism, tourism, happy holiday snapshot / whatever.

[Ian]

Re: Photographers Rights

here's one i keep handy. i'm not sure how much if any would apply in your world, but it comes in handy here in the usa.

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Hi Jon,

That looks like a very handy document to have - have you had to make use of it so far?

Ian

[JonMikal]

Re: Photographers Rights

Hi Jon,

That looks like a very handy document to have - have you had to make use of it so far?

Ian

Not yet Ian.

I was detained for a short while early one morning (2 a.m.) shooting the exterior of the Dept. of Justice. I can't imagine why I thought I'd get away with it without a few questions Security was curious why I was taking pics but I was soon on my way. I figured cooperation was the key instead of pulling 'my rights' out on them.

Bottom line - depends on the situation.

[Cogito]

Re: Photographers Rights

I did some personal research into this for my own peace of mind last year - I'm fond of taking candid street photos, and wanted to be sure that what I was doing was lawful. In my opinion, in the UK, it is quite lawful to take pictures of things and people in a public place for the purposes of a photography hobby (or business for that matter!)

Its only my opinion, and I'm not at all legally qualified, but I'm personally quite happy to snap away in public.


Regards,

Neil

[Pol]

Re: Photographers Rights

If anyone is interested ... there will be an event at 11-00am on Monday called 'I'm a Photographer, not a terrorist'.

More details available HERE

Dunno anyone personally who might be turning up but I'll be keeping my ears pinned to the ground for any follow-up snippets.

Pol

[Ian]

Re: Photographers Rights

If anyone is interested ... there will be an event at 11-00am on Monday called 'I'm a Photographer, not a terrorist'.

More details available HERE

Dunno anyone personally who might be turning up but I'll be keeping my ears pinned to the ground for any follow-up snippets.

Pol

I'm planning to go, Pol. I will report back from the even with (hopefully) some pictures.

Ian

[Pol]

Re: Photographers Rights

I'm planning to go, Pol. I will report back from the even with (hopefully) some pictures.

Ian

Good for you and all power to your elbow!

Try not to to be the one who manages to get himself arrested.


Pol

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Photographers Rights

An "interesting" debate...

It starts half way down page 4 and goes on to page 5

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090401/halltext/90401h0004.htm

Or you can watch it:

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=3747&st=11:00:00

If you are stopped you could quote from this. Although quoting an MP may well seriously reduce you credibility.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Photographers Rights

Dont photograph to many Christmas Lights

[JSR]

Re: Photographers Rights

Dont photograph to many Christmas Lights

What stupidity!

Soon shops will be forced to give your details to the authorities when you buy a camera, in much the same way they pass on your details when you buy TV equipment to the TV Licensing people.

They claim they stopped the man due to counter-terrorism laws but I say that when an innocent person can't walk down the street without being pounced on by police officers, then the terrorists job is already done. These laws breed fear and distrust into innocent people - afraid to go out on the street with a camera in case police pounce on them. Who needs terrorists? We've become our own terrorists.

If the guy was really up to no good, he'd do what the criminal fraternity and terrorists already do. Check out the street view on Google Earth! Why bother taking photos when you can "case the joint" from the comfort of your own home. And, even if that isn't good enough, there are enough tiny cameras around these days that you could take photos of your target without anyone ever knowing you have a camera on you.

The chances of someone taking photos in a public place with a visible camera being "up to no good" is so remote as to be laughable. The PCSOs should get a real job.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Photographers Rights

"Officers have the power to stop and search a person who they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist."

If I were to "reasonable suspect" someone of being a terrorist, I really don't think I'd calmly walk up to them and ask them what they were doing

It is by their very own actions that they make themselves look fools and alienate the very people that they are their to serve and protect.

But, if as I (reasonably) suspect that they have been told to do it and have "Quotas" to maintain, then by simply following orders, we arrive at the current situation.

I do wonder if the manufacturers have realised that this is affecting their business, as some people will give up on photography out of fear of being stopped by Police.

[Patrick]

Re: Photographers Rights

"Officers have the power to stop and search a person who they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist."

If I were to "reasonable suspect" someone of being a terrorist, I really don't think I'd calmly walk up to them and ask them what they were doing

It is by their very own actions that they make themselves look fools and alienate the very people that they are their to serve and protect.

But, if as I (reasonably) suspect that they have been told to do it and have "Quotas" to maintain, then by simply following orders, we arrive at the current situation.

I do wonder if the manufacturers have realised that this is affecting their business, as some people will give up on photography out of fear of being stopped by Police.

I have often thought why isn't the industry doing more to protect our individual rights, by doing so they protect their businesses.

Patrick