The Metropolitan Police have [at last] revised it’s ‘Photography Advice’ page at:
http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm
The NUJ had pointed out that in many aspects, it was just plain wrong, mis-guided and needed to be changed.
NUJ and other photography groups drew attention to their concerns.
Changes to police guidelines welcomed by NUJ
Members of the media can, like any other person, be stopped and searched under s44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They may also be stopped and searched under S43 of the Terrorism Act 2000 if an officer reasonably suspects that they are a terrorist. However, where it is clear that the person being searched is a journalist, officers should exercise caution before viewing images as images acquired or created for the purposes of journalism may constitute journalistic material and should not be viewed without a Court Order.
The guidance includes a statement making it clear that the police do not have the power to stop the media from filming and taking photographs in public places. The police now recognise the specific protections that are afforded to the media. It warns officers that they cannot demand to see images taken for journalistic purposes without a court order.
Now, we’re back to where we started, with a set of guidelines that are routinely ignored. 🙁
