Are Cameras the New Guns?

[johnastovall]

"In response to a flood of Facebook and YouTube videos that depict police abuse, a new trend in law enforcement is gaining popularity. In at least three states, it is now illegal to record any on-duty police officer...."

Full story

[Some Idiot]

This is my favorite part

"In short, recordings that are flattering to the police - an officer kissing a baby or rescuing a dog - will almost certainly not result in prosecution even if they are done without all-party consent. The only people who seem prone to prosecution are those who embarrass or confront the police, or who somehow challenge the law. If true, then the prosecutions are a form of social control to discourage criticism of the police or simple dissent"

[Steelsun]

That's when all Photogs need to band together and make a press association so they can accurately refer to themselves as members of the press and sue the damn cops and cities/states that violate their first amendment rights.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

That's when all Photogs need to band together and make a press association so they can accurately refer to themselves as members of the press and sue the damn cops and cities/states that violate their first amendment rights.

and along with a warranty card every single new camera would come with an application form that you just fill out and send in (postage pre-paid) and you get added to the club.

Kinda like the "motor voter" registration.

"I own a camera -- therefore I am a member of the civilian press!"

With more and more video and photos being provided to CNN and the like (eg. "IReport") it seems that more and more average citizens are legitimately acting in a news gathering role on a daily basis, especially in tragedy or disaster situations.

[sldi]

These cases just make you wonder whats going on in our government, regardless of party or ideology.

[Dobick]

I would like to add that I think police officers do a thankless job, and no way in this world would I want to trade places with them, but there should never be a law allowed that makes it illegal to photograph or record those things that occur in plain sight and from a public vantage point. Honest law enforcement officials should welcome the increased scrutiny. Every organization has its bad apples, and if you keep pushing them to the back of the cart, they tend to stay in the cart.

[brad]

I have an absolute respect for the police and the job they do.

They also get a lot of grief, especially from "journalists" about supposed transgressions against their first amendment rights. Not to say it doesn't happen... the recent event at a college newspaper (the thread is here somewhere) shows that.

As for these laws... would love to see them pass SCOTUS muster... don't see how they could. It restricts the press (citizen journalism is an important part of the press). An equivalent law would be that you couldn't make photos that make fun of say... The President.

Saying that the press is exempt is also silly. "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" should also mean that the government does not have the right to define what the press is.

[janikphoto]

Groups like the ASMP have lawyers that fight this kind of stuff on a daily basis. They, and other national photo groups, have been in constant contact with Washington about several issues like this one.

[KobraCarry]

I was a cop for a really long time. As far as I'm concerned, if you do your job and remember you're not above the law you have nothing to worry about. I'd rather be shot with a camera than a gun any day!

[janikphoto]

absolute power corrupts... absolutely!

[Patticake]

Originally Posted by KobraCarry

I was a cop for a really long time. As far as I'm concerned, if you do your job and remember you're not above the law you have nothing to worry about. I'd rather be shot with a camera than a gun any day!

I agree with Mike.......

Patti