View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
May 5, 2011updated 06 May 2011 11:18am

Photographers protest against ban from public spaces

By Andrew Pugh

Photographers in London descended on City Hall to campaign against ‘creeping restrictions of press freedom in the capital’that sees them banned from public spaces including Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge.

The ‘flashmob’ was organised by the I am a Photographer Not a Terrorist (PHNAT) campaign group, supported by the NUJ and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

PHNAT said that around 50 photographers gathered outside City Hall on Tuesday, which was World Press Freedom Day. It is an area where it alleges police and private security guards have attempted to ban photographers

IFJ has supported the campaign by the NUJ to change anti-terrorism legislation – and in particular Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 which was found by the European Court of Human Rights to breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to respect for private and family life).

The section was suspended pending a review of counter-terrorism powers, including the use of terrorism legislation in relation to photography. The review was prompted by complaints from photographers over harassment by police using stop-and-search powers.

PHNAT claims the Coalition Government has now reintroduced remedial orders reinstating these measures which will impede their work covering public events, including the recent anti-cuts protests.

‘The ban on photography is an arbitrary measure which frustrates photojournalists’ work and our colleagues are rightly dismayed that it is still in place,’said IFJ President Jim Boumelha.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

‘The event in London was a powerful message to the authorities to change course and lift all unnecessary restrictions on media work.”

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network