Recently a lot of bloggers have been posting about instances of photographers being harassed or approached by the police whilst taking photographs in public places.
The Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP) have come up with a scheme to counteract the problem. It has provided each of it's members with a Blue card which has been legally validated. This can then be shown to police officers, security guards and any other officials that approach the photographer. The card is meant to identify that the photographer is taking pictures for legitimate reasons and not posing a threat to security. The card was given to members in June and the BFP are awaiting feedback from their members about their experiences using the card. BFP chief executive John Tracy stated:
The Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP) have come up with a scheme to counteract the problem. It has provided each of it's members with a Blue card which has been legally validated. This can then be shown to police officers, security guards and any other officials that approach the photographer. The card is meant to identify that the photographer is taking pictures for legitimate reasons and not posing a threat to security. The card was given to members in June and the BFP are awaiting feedback from their members about their experiences using the card. BFP chief executive John Tracy stated:
"We feel that the card, if used with tact and discretion, may have the desired effect of emphasising to an officer the fact that photography in public places is a legitiamate and, in 99 cases out of 100, legal activity."Whilst I agree this is a good idea it shouldn't be necessary in the first place!
21 comments:
If this is the state of freedom today, the situation is even worse than I thought. This used to be a problem only near military facilities or other sensitive objects. Guess we've been severely sensitized ...
It is dreadful that it should be necessary. Until i began reading about it on blogs I was never sure how lawful it was to take random photos in public. Now I know it's okay and they're cracking down on it!
Public surveillance / voyeurism here, photographing for the public forbidden there. It's somehow paradox, isn't it? :)
Cassandra - We are turning into a big brother society!
Liz - I don't see why we can't take pictures of most things. Of course you have to be careful taking pictures of people!
Sean - It is very much a paradox yes. We need solutions ;-)
Absolutely ridiculous. I shake my head when I read about these things.
Is that you camera Cherie. I have the A620.
'We need a solution'.
To speak with Mr. Bush jr., it would be easier had we a dictatorship and I were the dictator. :)
Not really surprising, is it?
At least they allow us to breathe, at the moment.
Does this stem from perverts or those taking photos for illicit purposes? While it would affect everyone out there taking photos, a card saying they were doing it legitimately doesn't prevent wrong doings from occurring either.
Of course it shouldn't be necessary and anyway, it's only as good as the police recognition of it. Keep us informed, Cherie.
That's a terrible state of affairs. I've never heard of such a thing. I thought Britain was supposed to be a democratic country - by the people, for the people and all that. I'm glad I live in rural Ireland now.
This stems from nothing other than a desire to restrict what we do by people who don't have the power to do it. There is no legislation to stop you taking pictures of whatever you want to from a public place.
Of course there are establishments that are secret, which you can't take cameras into and start taking pictures. The open days here at BAE don't allow cameras into the Devonshire Dock Hall in which submarines are built. It is a sensitive area and it makes sense.
These cards are a step in the wrong direction in my opinion, they formalise the position of the authorities removing our rights by stealth and without legislation.
Actually there is legislation to stop you taking pictures of whatever you want. Its called the Terrorism Act 2000.
Specifically, Part VI, Paragraph 58 - Collection of Information:
"(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) he collects or makes a record of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or
(b) he possesses a document or record containing information of that kind.
(2) In this section "record" includes a photographic or electronic record."
You can find the whole extract here, or browse the complete Act on the Office Of Public Sector Information website.
Ach, the reports of police stopping people from photographing innocuous events annoys me. It is the police that need the proper training etc, not the photographers.
Jmb - It is my camera yes :-) I really enjoy using it!
Sean - Dictators? ;-)
Calum - I think they may put a tax on the breathing soon!!!
Nunyaa - I think it is just an abuse of power, but I agree the card won't prevent wrong doing.
James - I agree X
Dragonstar - I think you are in the best place ;-)
Morningstar - I totally agree with your comment on it stemming from the desire to restrict but as Andi says there is legislation in place to allow them to do that!
I also agree that secret establishments and kids are a no no!
My thought on the card itself was some sort of statement, but if it goes the way you are thinking - ID CARDS!!! I will say no too!
Andi - Thanks :-) you have provided the legislation that explains why this card came about!
Jams - Yes I agree!
@ Andi, I appreciate that we have that screwed up piece of legislation, however, I would not let that stop me from taking pictures of whatever I wanted to.
If a police officer, or anyone else, told me to hand over my camera or memory card I would still refuse until they provided a warrant.
Even with this law they still have to prove that you carried out the collection of information for terrorist purposes, any reasonable reason is a defence.
Morningstar: Normally I would agree, but this law gives the police the power to arrest you "on suspicion" (they don't actually have to have any evidence) that you might be doing something a bit naughty. Also, they have the power to excercise that right without the need to obtain or produce an arrest warrant.
Additionally, following the unconstitutional vote in Parliament recently, if you are "suspected" of being a bit of a terrorist, they can lock you away without charge, trial or legal representation for up to 42 days.
I'm going to sound really boring, but I can give excerpts from the necessary legislation if you like.
See this lot.
Thanks for your post but the BFP card is not a lot of use to non members. It should not be necessary anyway.
Morningstar - I agree with what you say. I was going to mention the 42 days detention without charge may cause a problem but it seems Andi mentioned that already ;-)
Andi - Maybe you should do a blog post on this?
Curly15 - I totally agree it should not be necessary. I think that maybe the reason the BFP have issued it, is to try and attract new members ;-)
Cherry - I have thought about it, but the traitors in government have annoyed me so much and in so many ways recently, I fear that researching any more of their evil duplicity will cause me to violently haemorrhage into my beer.
Andi - You are getting a bit melodramatic there...
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