Terrorising the Photographer instead

bnishanth · 02-10-2009, 01:45 AM

Found this on British Journal of Photography.

British Journal of Photography - Jail for photographing police?

Quote from the page -->

Quote:

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'.

Set to become law on 16 February, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 amends the Terrorism Act 2000 regarding offences relating to information about members of armed forces, a member of the intelligence services, or a police officer.

The new set of rules, under section 76 of the 2008 Act and section 58A of the 2000 Act, will target anyone who 'elicits or attempts to elicit information about (members of armed forces) ... which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism'.

A person found guilty of this offence could be liable to imprisonment for up to 10 years, and to a fine.

The law is expected to increase the anti-terrorism powers used today by police officers to stop photographers, including press photographers, from taking pictures in public places.

Need to invest in a studio kit now, as in the near future I might be able to just picture my family within my house :ugh:

Cheers
Nish

stewart_photo · 02-10-2009, 02:39 AM

Appears the UK is simply filling in a loophole in their current espionage laws, Nish. Most countries have similar laws. The USA, for example, has had the 1917 Espionage Act and 18 USC 793 (gathering info which might harm the country) for many decades. Court cases (U.S. v. Morison and others) have also established no need to show "evil purpose" - act itself is crime.

stewart

bnishanth · 02-10-2009, 03:37 AM

True Stewart, unfortunately it's excessively misused by cops these days. It was hobbyists and professionals all the while, now even journalists are not spared..!!

Cheers
Nish

02-10-2009, 01:45 AM	#76
bnishanth Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 223	Soon to be a law in the UK Found this on British Journal of Photography. British Journal of Photography - Jail for photographing police? Quote from the page --> Quote: 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'. Set to become law on 16 February, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 amends the Terrorism Act 2000 regarding offences relating to information about members of armed forces, a member of the intelligence services, or a police officer. The new set of rules, under section 76 of the 2008 Act and section 58A of the 2000 Act, will target anyone who 'elicits or attempts to elicit information about (members of armed forces) ... which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism'. A person found guilty of this offence could be liable to imprisonment for up to 10 years, and to a fine. The law is expected to increase the anti-terrorism powers used today by police officers to stop photographers, including press photographers, from taking pictures in public places. Need to invest in a studio kit now, as in the near future I might be able to just picture my family within my house :ugh: Cheers Nish

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02-10-2009, 02:39 AM	#77
stewart_photo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 1,864	Appears the UK is simply filling in a loophole in their current espionage laws, Nish. Most countries have similar laws. The USA, for example, has had the 1917 Espionage Act and 18 USC 793 (gathering info which might harm the country) for many decades. Court cases (U.S. v. Morison and others) have also established no need to show "evil purpose" - act itself is crime. stewart

02-10-2009, 03:37 AM	#78
bnishanth Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 223	True Stewart, unfortunately it's excessively misused by cops these days. It was hobbyists and professionals all the while, now even journalists are not spared..!! Cheers Nish