I’m a Photographer … not a Terrorist

February 14, 2009

16 February 2009
11.00 – 12.00
New Scotland Yard
Broadway, Westminster
London, UK

Monday 16th February 2009 is the enforcement date for Section 76 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008. As the British Journal of Photography (BJP) wrote last month,

“The relationship between photographers and police could worsen next month when new laws are introduced that allow for the arrest – and imprisonment – of anyone who takes pictures of officers ‘likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism’.”

Read the full BJP article
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=836675

So with that the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has teamed up with Mark Thomas (writer, broadcaster, comic and political activist), Chris Atkins (the BAFTA nominated director and writer of the feature film documentary Taking Liberties), Marc Vallée (Photojournalist) and many more for a “media event” outside New Scotland Yard on Monday 16 February 2009.

The plan is simple, turn up with your camera and exercise your democratic right to take a photograph in a public place.

Please note that this event is NOT a Protest! It’s just photography!

06.02.09: NUJ Media Release:

“Photographers snap into action over new law”
http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1104

Comedian Mark Thomas is to join with NUJ members in an event to highlight the threat of a new UK law that could be used against press photographers taking pictures of the police.

The Counter Terrorism Act allows for the arrest and imprisonment of anyone whose pictures are “likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.

The union is joining with campaigners to organise a mass picture taking session outside London’s police HQ on Monday 16 February – the day the act becomes law.

Mark – who uses his comedy act to expose state and corporate wrongdoing – will be joined outside New Scotland Yard by renowned documentary-maker Chris Atkins, NUJ vice-president Pete Murray and a bevy of photographers.

Photojournalist and NUJ member Marc Vallée said: “The plan is simple, turn up with your camera and exercise your democratic right to take a photograph in a public place.”

There have already been cases of photographers stopped from working by police quoting anti-terror laws.

John Toner, the NUJ’s organiser who looks after freelance photographers, said: “Police officers are in news pictures at all sorts of events – football matches, carnivals, state processions – so the union wants to make it clear that taking their pictures is not the act of a criminal.

“Our members are photographers – not terrorists.”

Roy Mincoff, NUJ Legal Officer, said: “Photographers do not want to endanger the health and safety of the police or the public – but it is important in a democracy that they can do their jobs properly without facing unnecessary legal restrictions.”

The photo taking will start at 11am outside New Scotland Yard on Broadway, London.

Ends.