There’s been a big bust-up in the biscuit tin!
A bandit called rocky who was crackers hit a penguin over the head with a club, tied him to a wagon wheel with a blue riband, kidnapped a trophy and made his breakaway in a taxi.
The police say rocky was last seen just after eight by a viscount from maryland hobnobbing a gi…nger nut.
Unfortunately they have not got a crumb of evidence!
The jammie dodger got away!
Well ,,,,, of course, am getting old, and I must try and keep up. On watching the first episode of the BBC4 series on modern Britain called the ‘History of Now’, I realised that some styles of electonic music, to add a little more sommat to it, might be described as needing ‘to put a donk on it’!!
“..what you wanna do wi dat right?
– You wanna put a bangin’ donk on it…”
I know, I know …. couple of years behind everyone else, but i try yaknow.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Put%20a%20Donk%20on%20it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckMvj1piK58
Soundtrack to some bangin’ chavs I expect, but i think this video from the Blackout Crew is hilarious. I know it’s supposed to be.
Might sound a bit like a High Court Judge, having evidence explained to him …. “I believe they are a popular beat combo malud …….”
Hahahahahahahaaaa!
Oh, by the way all ….. Happy New Year!
NUJ Code of Conduct [I do this ….. i hope others do also]
A journalist
1 At all times upholds and defends the principle of media freedom, the right of freedom of expression and the right of the public to be informed
2 Strives to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair
3 Does her/his utmost to correct harmful inaccuracies
4 Differentiates between fact and opinion
5 Obtains material by honest, straightforward and open means, with the exception of investigations that are both overwhelmingly in the public interest and which involve evidence that cannot be obtained by straightforward means
6 Does nothing to intrude into anybody’s private life, grief or distress unless justified by overriding consideration of the public interest
7 Protects the identity of sources who supply information in confidence and material gathered in the course of her/his work
8 Resists threats or any other inducements to influence, distort or suppress information
9 Takes no unfair personal advantage of information gained in the course of her/his duties before the information is public knowledge
10 Produces no material likely to lead to hatred or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age, gender, race, colour, creed, legal status, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation
11 Does not by way of statement, voice or appearance endorse by advertisement any commercial product or service save for the promotion of her/his own work or of the medium by which she/he is employed
12 Avoids plagiarism.
The NUJ believes a journalist has the right to refuse an assignment or be identified as the author of editorial that would break the letter or spirit of the code. The NUJ will fully support any journalist disciplined for asserting her/ his right to act according to the code.
Account of a watercolour painter, going through the same troubles as photographers, with inadequate policing.
I was stopped and searched twice near London City airport – for watercolouring! I was not even facing the airport. I was painting the Tate and Lyle sugar factory opposite. They said they saw me on a camera and thought that “no one would want to paint a factory”. I explained that LS Lowry did loads. Then they said I could be an anarchist and I was carrying “suspicious paraphernalia” – this being a flask of coffee and an iPod. Oh, and a box of watercolours.
Once they had all my gear out, rummaged through what identity documentation I had and double-checked it on a few radios, they were satisfied I was just “weird” and left me to it. Until the next week, when I went back to finish off the picture and had to go through the same rigmarole all over again.
I have painted in Ukraine, Russia, Vietnam and plenty of other “controlled” states, and have never been questioned about watercolour anarchism.
NEWS RELEASE
From Press Bureau at New Scotland Yard – last updated Mon 14/12/09 16:31 Telephone: 020 7230 2171
http://www.met.police.uk/pressbureau/bur14/page3.htm
Statement by Assistant Commissioner John Yates
John Yates, Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations, has today reminded all MPS officers and staff that people taking photographs in public should not be stopped and searched unless there is a valid reason.
The message, which has been circulated to all Borough Commanders and published on the MPS intranet, reinforces guidance previously issued around powers relating to stop and search under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Guidance on the issue will continue to be included in briefings to all operational officers and staff.
Mr Yates said: “People have complained that they are being stopped when taking photographs in public places. These stops are being recorded under Stop and Account and under Section 44 of TACT. The complaints have included allegations that people have been told that they cannot photograph certain public buildings, that they cannot photograph police officers or PCSOs and that taking photographs is, in itself, suspicious.
“Whilst we must remain vigilant at all times in dealing with suspicious behaviour, staff must also be clear that:
. there is no restriction on people taking photographs in public places or of any building other than in very exceptional circumstances
. there is no prohibition on photographing front-line uniform staff
. the act of taking a photograph in itself is not usually sufficient to carry out a stop.
“Unless there is a very good reason, people taking photographs should not be stopped.
“An enormous amount of concern has been generated about these matters. You will find below what I hope is clear and unequivocal guidance on what you can and cannot do in respect of these sections. This complements and reinforces previous guidance that has been issued. You are reminded that in any instance where you do have reasonable suspicion then you should use your powers under Section 43 TACT 2000 and account for it in the normal way.
“These are important yet intrusive powers. They form a vital part of our overall tactics in deterring and detecting terrorist attacks. We must use these powers wisely. Public confidence in our ability to do so rightly depends upon your common sense. We risk losing public support when they are used in circumstances that most reasonable people would consider inappropriate.”
++++
The guidance:
Section 43 Terrorism Act 2000
Section 43 is a stop and search power which can be used if a police officer has reasonable suspicion that a person may be a terrorist.
Any police officer can:
– Stop and search a person who they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist to discover whether they have in their possession anything which may constitute evidence that they are a terrorist.
– View digital images contained in mobile telephones or cameras carried by the person searched to discover whether the images constitute evidence they are involved in terrorism.
– Seize and retain any article found during the search which the officer reasonably suspects may constitute evidence that the person is a terrorist, including any mobile telephone or camera containing such evidence.
The power, in itself, does not permit a vehicle to be stopped and searched.
Section 44 Terrorism Act 2000
Section 44 is a stop and search power which can be used by virtue of a person being in a designated area.
Where an authority is in place, police officers in uniform, or PCSOs IF ACCOMPANIED by a police officer can:
– Stop and search any person; reasonable grounds to suspect an individual is a terrorist are not required. (PCSOs cannot search the person themselves, only their property.)
– View digital images contained in mobile telephones or cameras carried by a person searched, provided that the viewing is to determine whether the images contained in the camera or mobile telephone are connected with terrorism.
– Seize and retain any article found during the search which the officer reasonably suspects is intended to be used in connection with terrorism.
General points
Officers do not have the power to delete digital images, destroy film or to prevent photography in a public place under either power. Equally, officers are also reminded that under these powers they must not access text messages, voicemails or emails.
Where it is clear that the person being searched under Sections 43 or 44 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.
If an officer’s rationale for effecting a stop is that the person is taking photographs as a means of hostile reconnaissance, then it should be borne in mind that this should be under the Section 43 power. Officers should not default to the Section 44 power in such instances simply because the person is within one of the designated areas
Some links to just the last couple days of photography restriction stories. We are collecting hundreds now.
What value are the chief constable’s words? – BJP 9 December 2009
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=871763
‘I’m a photographer not a terrorist’ badge leaves police unconvinced – The Wire 9 December 2009
http://blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/wire/5872
Photographer ‘arrested’ with Leica M6 in London suburb – Amateur Photographer 10 December 2009
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/photographer_arrested_with_leica_m6_in_london_suburb_news_292842.html
MP pushes for debate over photographer stops – The Independent 10 December 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mp-pushes-for-debate-over-photographer-stops-1837946.html
Police crackdown on City photographers – Amateur Photographer 11 December 2009
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/police_crackdown_on_city_photographers_news_292881.html?aff=rss
Fish and chip photographer arrest ‘unlawful’, say police chiefs – Amateur Photographer 11 December 2009
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/fish_and_chip_photographer_arrest_complaint_upheld_news_292896.html?aff=rss
Police snapper silliness reaches new heights – The Register 11 December 2009
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/11/police_quiz_itn_reporter
Police: Photographers should carry identification – Amateur Photographer 11 December 2009
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/police_photographers_should_carry_identification_news_292902.html
S44 abuse of photographers raised in Parliament – photorights.org 11 December 2009
http://www.photorights.org/forum/s44-abuse-of-photographers-raised-in-parliament
From Snapshot to Special Branch: how my camera made me a terror suspect – Guardian 11 December 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/11/snapshot-special-branch-terror-suspect
A few photographs add up to a minor terror alert – Guardian 11 December 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2009/dec/11/photographs-police-anti-terrorism-laws
We’re photographers, not terrorists, Marc Vallée – Guardian 11 December 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/dec/11/photographers-section-44-terrorism-act
Well respected photojournalist pursues complaint to the IPCC after being stopped whilst
working by police who tell her we can do anything under the terrorism act – Bindmans 11 December 2009
http://www.bindmans.com/index.php?id=672
The picture that could land you in jail:
How police in Big Brother Britain treat you like a terrorist for taking holiday snaps –
Daily Mail 12 December 2009
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1235241/The-picture-land-jail-How-police-Big-Brother-Britain-treat-like-terrorist-taking-holiday-snaps.html
Everyone that has watched the flow for the last couple of weeks of police restriction and general arsiness, might conclude there is nothing photographers can do about these stop and searches, is there? They the police, they can do what they like!!. This case will show that sommat can be done, and will be successful. good luck Jess
Well respected photojournalist pursues complaint to the IPCC after being stopped whilst
working by police who tell her we can do anything under the terrorism act – Bindmans 11 December 2009
more on what i’m trying to do with my camera on my mobile. I am in good company:::
Writers are often given the sage advice that to keep the creative juices flowing, they should write something, anything, every day. Artists should sketch. Nothing epic or earth shattering, just a few bits jotted down is enough to keep the synapses firing. (Sometimes even a grocery list or doodling on a cocktail napkin will suffice.) For a surprising number of photographers, pro as well as amateur, the cameraphone, which emerged on the scene nine years ago with the Sharp J-SH04 (Apple’s iPhone appeared more recently, in 2007), has become the equivalent of a daily journal.
Photographer Chase Jarvis claims he even feels more inspired in his professional work since he started shooting with his iPhone. Self-proclaimed amateur Greg Schmigel, whose website has brought him notoriety for his street (he prefers “life”) photography, some days might shoot a handful of cameraphone images, other days hundreds. “It’s addictive,” says New York photographer Sion Fullana, who has logged many miles and thousands of images on city streets, likening his iPhone skills to “a muscle that builds.” One commonality among all serious cameraphone shooters, and perhaps a large part of the addiction: At the end of the day, they are amazed by the images they get.
This is why cameraphone photography has become more than just a visual notebook, a journalistic record of events or a way to send friends photos of your dog. While most photographers will claim that they simply fell into shooting with their cell phones, saying, “What the heck, I’ve always got my phone with me,” it has rapidly evolved into a legitimate tool for artistic expression and has even shown up in commercial outlets, such as Robert Clark’s commissioned book Image America, shot entirely with his cameraphone. Fullana landed a cover gig from Time Out New York for his urban iPhone images.
Jarvis has just released his own book, titled with his mantra The Best Camera Is the One That’s With You (Peachpit), which blurs the lines between high and low art. In it, photos of seagulls and stained glass carry equal weight with a Muppet head and bacon frying. This illustrates something Jarvis revels in with his cameraphone — “the wanton freedom of creativity to just snap something.” San Francisco photographer Lisa Wiseman also finds the lack of pressure to take a “perfect” photo “a beautiful thing,” and she points out that while she might not consider a crack in a wall a worthy subject for a D-SLR, she’ll shoot it with her iPhone. Without the iPhone, it’s a moment missed and a lost chance to explore a different side of her creativity.
popphoto.
Photographers And Their iPhones – Digital Photo Tips and More on PopPhoto.com
This is a copy of a letter sent by the Association of Chief Police Officers to Chief Constables and Commissioners across England and Wales on Saturday:
>>
4 December 2009
To: all Chief Constables and Commissioners
Dear Colleague
Section 44 Terrorism Act and Photography
Adverse media coverage of the police service use of Section 44 powers, when dealing with issues relating to photography, have recently hit the headlines again and suggests that officers continue to misuse the legislation that is available to them. The evidence also suggests that there is confusion over the recording requirements of ‘Stop and Account’ and the actual police powers of ‘Stop and Search’. The purpose of this letter is to clarify the legislation and guidance in relation to these matters.
Stop and Search
Section 44 gives officers no specific powers in relation to photography and there is no provision in law for the confiscation of equipment or the destruction of images, either digital or on film.
On the rare occasion where an officer suspects that an individual is taking photographs as part of target reconnaissance for terrorist purposes, then they should be treated as a terrorist suspect and dealt with under Section 43 of the Act. This would ensure that the legal power exists to seize equipment and recover images taken. Section 58A Counter Terrorism Act 2008 provides powers to cover instances where photographs are being taken of police officers who are, or who have been, employed at the front line of counter terrorism operations.
These scenarios will be exceptionally rare events and do not cover instances of photography by rail enthusiasts, tourists or the media.
The ACPO/NPIA Practice Advice, published in December 2008, is again included with this letter and specifically covers the issues surrounding photography. The guidance also includes the need for clear briefings on the use of Section 44 and it may be appropriate to include photography issues within those briefings.
Stop and Account
Encounters between police officers and PCSOs and the public range from general conversation through to arrest. Officers need to be absolutely clear that no record needs to be submitted to cover any activity that merely constitutes a conversation.
Only at the point where a member of the public is asked to account for their actions, behaviour, presence in an area or possession of an item, do the provisions of the PACE Act apply and a record for that ‘stop and account’ need to be submitted. Even at that point, such a discussion does not constitute the use of any police power and should not be recorded under the auspices of the Terrorism Act, for example.
Officers should be reminded that it is not an offence for a member of the public or journalist to take photographs of a public building and use of cameras by the public does not ordinarily permit use of stop and search powers.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Trotter OBE QPM
Chief Constable
Head of ACPO Media Advisory Group
Craig Mackey QPM
Stop and Search
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Business Area
British Journal of Photography – Political divides?
The National Union of Journalists is standing firm behind the creation of its first photographers’ branch, despite internal divisions that have threatened its launch. Olivier Laurent reports IN BJP
……. “Instead, Jeremy Dear, the Union’s general secretary, tells BJP that the four London members of the National Executive Council will ‘try to create the right conditions for setting up the new branch’.
Hoffman now believes that the ‘idea of a branch of hundreds of photographers is gone.’ However, says Wiard, despite its internal problems, ‘the branch is an important development. I will still be part of it, and it can still be made to work’ he tells BJP. ‘It’s important not just for what it will achieve but for what it has already established. In accepting the branch the NUJ has now finally acknowledged that we have a right to organise ourselves within the union as photographers.’ And eventually, he adds, it will lead to the creation of an Industrial Council for photographers.
According to the Union’s deputy general secretary, this could happen soon. ‘There was a motion at last week’s ADM calling for an industrial council for photographers to be established – the tabling body agreed for the motion to be remitted to the NEC for discussion and consideration, so the whole issue of photography becoming an industrial sector will be discussed in the course of the next 18 months.’
In the meantime, says Dear, the ‘NEC remains solidly behind the establishment of the branch.’ The branch’s first meeting is expected for 26 January 2010.” …..
Mugger to photographer: ‘Your money or your life!’
Photographer to mugger: ‘I don’t have any money and I don’t have a life.’
Oh, very well, please yourselves.
British Journal of Photography – Review recommends rethink of protest monitoring
Posted using ShareThis
‘Aggressive’ policing of protests condemned in post-G20 inquiry | Politics | guardian.co.uk
Posted using ShareThis
Nottingham Branch had two delegates at this years ADM at Southport. Also somewhat to our amazement there was a second year journalism student from Nottingham Trent University. Welcome. We had no idea she was coming which is of course a shame since we might have made a greater contribution to student ADM when funding was discussed at earlier branch meeting.
I’ll start by saying that this years ADM was a lot more businesslike and more centred on journalism and professional work-related matters. Previous years in my limited experience have tended to centre on wider political issues and NUJ affiliations, with many of the same people speaking time after time to these motions. Some of us have been critical of this in the past and I’m pleased to say that this appears to have changed. On Sunday morning however #145 was remitted. Speakers said it had nearly reopened old wounds, when previous motions on the Israeli – Palestinian conflict were considered to be so partial. When the condemnations and the called-for boycott caused so much heat before.
Overall, there was a general sense of gloom, I felt. Because of job cuts and wage stagnation that is obviously such a feature of current journalism. It is surprising then that didn’t seem to infect the student members to much.
The two main financial matters were headlined by motions concerning the frequency of ADM’s and the subscriptions increase. Motion #1 by what seemed to me to be a tortuous route of a process of elimination, as we waded through the amendments. We eventually arrived at the compromise position of 18month DMs. Motion #54 on Subs rise was also passed, but the idea to automatically link subs to any future rise of inflation was rejected.
Motion #72 on the establishment of virtual branches was dropped because the Netherlands Branch members were not there to move it. I thought this a shame, since I’ve always thought it relevant to not only rural, international and new media members, but also to skillsets like photographers. I am pleased also that a motion of much personal interest to me, #12 on asking for NUJ support and legal safeguards for UK Indymedia, concerning the police seizure of servers and equipment. It was passed unanimously.
Nottingham supported #125 on the ‘Photographer Matters’ Campaign and was passed. Also #92 was concerning “Special Procedure Material”, documents defines under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. There is concern that this is widely ignored by police. Further that there is now sometimes conflict with the recent anti-terrorism laws. ADM is asking for a legal guide to be produced to advise and address such conflicts. This was also carried.
The dangers of journalism in some parts of the world were highlighted with contributions from Zimbabwe and Russia. During discussion on #141, it was pointed out that every year the number of journalist killed, seriously injured or generally targeted continues to rise. One of the speakers got applause and appreciation from the platform for the idea of having a ‘roll-call’ of names at future DM’s to illustrate this rise. Delegates stood in silence in the memory of journalists killed doing their job. It was passed.
Students were congratulated on a number of occasions from the floor and the platform, for their coverage of the ADM proceedings. With writing, podcasting and photography, the material was accurate and excellent. They maintained a blog of the proceedings at http://www.nujadm.org.uk. At one point the president pointed to a student scoop, in that they had got the officers election results on their blog ahead of the official announcements on the ‘big screen’. Ongoing developments were regularly posted on Twitter #nujadm and on a dedicated Facebook page at: http://tinyurl.com/ycds6xw. together with video on YouTube etc. It was then perhaps a bit of a shame that some officers made slight of such media as “Twatters” This comment being much re-tweeted!!
Later, at a new media event, activists discussed how to recruit ‘web workers‘. Chris Wheal said that this may best be achieved by “Perhaps not insulting potential members might be a start”.
Motions #94 onwards concerning the BNP, racist policy and the code of conduct were discussed. However, the General Secretary came to the podium within minutes at the end if this debate to say that he information that some of the photographs, many taken by the students, were already on the Redwatch site. [‘Red Journalists’ etc]. There was then some heat as some members said that they thought photographers should not be photographing speakers at the ADM! However, many of us wondered that if we couldn’t photograph journalists at a conference … what other section of society could we ever photograph? It was more widely agreed that we wouldn’t be intimidated from our activities This was their objective, after all. Anyone with concerns were offered security arrangements.
Further to this issue, a member from the London Freelance Branch told us about the death threats that he and others had now received for their coverage of the English Defence League events and assorted groups.
Motion #68 concerned photographers continued struggle in getting better representation within the NUJ. Moved by Bristol and E.Yorks, called for the establishment of a Photographer’s Industrial Council. There was then some exchange in which the motions wasn’t in order, in which case it’s strange that SOC hadn’t so ruled earlier. There was talk of the current financial climate. Money was one of the original objections to an Organiser of course. Eventually agreed to remitting it, on getting a statement from the NEC, that they would be expedite progress on his.
A video was made of this statement, just in case…. another photographer later pointed out that: “What we are left with is a likely range of options to put to a future DM, which will include:
1) a full photographer’s sector, PIC and NEC seat.
2) an NEC seat and a members council …or something else”.
Mysterious innit.
EFJ Report “Photojournalists: An endangered species in Europe?
General Secretary, Jeremy Dear introduced freelance photographer Guy Smallman. He was injured during the G8 protest in Geneva in 2003 and has won damages in his case against the State of Geneva. He had to undergo two rounds of emergency surgery after a police concussion grenade exploded at his feet, causing permanent damage to his left leg.
It has taken six years in a legal battle with the authorities over his right to compensation. Although he won the initial case, the State appealed. On Friday during the ADM we heard he has finally won his case. In his speech to ADM, He thanked the NUJ and the legal advice team for their support. Guy said: “They said they had acting within their guidelines which they clearly hadn’t, unless you think it acceptable to throw high explosive at journalists as they’re running away.” http://tinyurl.com/yj3rmkx
Sunday was only a brief session finishing by 12.00 in which staff, officers and administration where thanked for their service. We now have a new President in Pete Murray from the Glasgow Broadcasting Branch and the Vice President is Donnacha Delong from London Freelance branch and New Media Industrial Council. Both in place now for 18 months. Interesting times for the union.
URL Refs:
NUJ ADM 2009
Student ADM Blog
Twitter
Flickr
Facebook
YouTube
Online journalism at the NUJ ADM: The Journalist, Twitter and new blood
Back home now from the ADM. Having had a little lie down, I thought I’d add sommat on the London Photographers Branch and issues. Personally I don’t easily fit into any camp, I don’t think.
What I want is a better understanding of photographers specific needs and time to express them, within the NUJ. Many in common of course, but I think some are a bit different to other journo needs. Having a camera planted in from of your face means that we are obvious and get attention from the public [for being a paedo or terrorist]. From authority that also thinks the same, but additionally are concerned at their own self image. Not to mention those involved in ‘action’ of different sorts who are also worried at their representation and all the above.
We went round some of this at the photo-meet in the pub on Thursday at the ADM. Trying to build a mental model of what’s going on. I explained I don’t know if this best achieved by plan A: which was a photography organiser. Someone in post with all our collected wisdom, by their own skill and education, and what we tell them. This might be considered a ‘top down’ approach. Plan B: is with an industrial council. It is this that was in front of us at ADM, before it evaporated, on the promise of jam tomorrow. I guess this is the model that has a best chance of encompassing those of us up north [and everywhere else] etc. ie. to be able to draw on collective experience from around the country. Plan C: which seem to have upset so many is a locally based photo branch, which London happens to be the first, since many of these photo-types are based in London.
It seems I still haven’t quite got it right yet, since I’ve now discovered some photographers don’t think this is choise A B or C but want all of the above. The NUJ establishment are then concerned about the cost and some are probably frighten of loosing power and want established order to remain.
I admit here I know little of the politics. For example the fascists are calling us ‘left scumbag photographers’ but they can’t mean me, can they, I’m an anarchist 🙂 But plan C in this model I think, means that folks have got together thinking they may best be able to help each other in their profession, with their collected experience and expertise. Much of it is new knowledge and not something that can be passed down from on high. This might thus be considered a grassroots solution. However, there are 4 of us in Nottingham, so don’t know what plan C could do for me.
In sum then, I have tried to pan out my understanding so far, and all nodded up and down when I said this lot in the meeting. I have been a client of the NUJ in asking for service several times in Tash’s continued adventures with the police/law, and am of course grateful for what I’ve received from the outfit and it’s officers. Thanks. Aside from help and service and advice, I guess I’m also looking for what structure would additionally help me convey my concerns and influence decisions to them up there on the top table. Which structure best does that?
I know personally all the personalities in the current exchange. I look up to all of you / them.
The discussion on how to represent photographers has been going on for as long has I’ve been in the NUJ. But I am now frightened that the rest of the NUJ, might look at photographers and think, why should we trust any of these photographers with structure and power within the union, since an objective Martian, looking in from above, might deduce that they couldn’t organise their way out of a paper bag. AAAAgh!
In response to David Hoffman
“The London Photographers’ Branch is a very exciting and necessary development in the NUJ.
It has been discussed across our sector as a serious prospect over the past year due to the crisis in our industry, also partly due to the success of Photo-Forum (http://photo-forum.org) and the unity around campaigning against the use of the anti-terrorism legislation on photographers.
We have been involved alongside other photographers in and outside the NUJ to organise Photo-Forum which people have enjoyed and found valuable.
We have also worked with colleagues to build probably the single most effective photographer event outside New Scotland Yard about the introduction of S76 of the Terrorism Act earlier this year and the subsequent ‘I’m a Photographer Not a Terrorist’ (http://photographernotaterrorist.org) campaign.
The assertion that NUJ Left will somehow wield it’s secretive ‘power and control’ over the branch is frankly ridiculous. It will bring together all photographers. It will of course be open and democratic and we would like every photographer – left, right or in between – to be a part of that democratic process.
We hope to see everyone at the first branch meeting on Tuesday 26th January 2010 at 6pm at Headland House.”
A response by:
Jess Hurd
Marc Vallée
Jonathan Warren
“Several people have claimed to be the originators of the Photographers’ Branch. I recall this being discussed in the 1980s. Very likely it’s been discussed in every decade since Bert Hardy was a boy.
Over the last year the London Photographers’ Branch (LPB) has become a reality. We’ve talked of a branch run “by photographers for photographers”. I was proud to be building that with Jess Hurd, Marc Vallée, Jonathan Warren and other colleagues. I believed that we could accomplish a great deal that the NUJ has failed to do and that the time was right for a bold venture uniting photographers under the NUJ banner. I now need to make it clear why I am no longer a part of this initiative.
The discovery last month that most of the people who would be central to LPB are committed to an NUJ Left agenda took me by surprise. I had thought that I had assurances to the contrary.
Political pressure groups are entirely normal within a trade union. But NUJ Left is not just any old political force pushing their line within a trade union. The power and reach of the NUJ Left has ensured that their candidates have won every high profile election for many years. It was only the NUJ Left candidate who had a job created for him during a job freeze and at a time of redundancies. With members of NUJ Left including the General Secretary, the Deputy General Secretary, the Vice President, the (outgoing) magazine editor, the Campaigns Officer and many members of NEC as well as other influential committees, it’s clear that this low profile self-selected group has considerable power within and control of the NUJ.
I’d thought we were a group of colleagues working together to build a power base for photographers. In reality I was kept in the dark, and have been left feeling that I have been a useful patsy to disguise the real underlying aim of building a power base for NUJ Left. Not so much a branch “by photographers for photographers” but rather “by photographers for NUJ Left”.
Why does it matter? The aims of NUJ Left are not the same as the aims of LPB and at times are very likely to be quite opposed to those of LPB. Imagine an LPB committee planning a campaign for a Photographers’ Organiser. A majority of the committee will have already discussed this on NUJ Left. The timing, the best way to get a NUJ Left candidate into the post, whether to support this faction or that plan – this will all have been decided by the NUJ Left membership. The Photographers’ Branch discussion will be meaningless, fake. Whatever the views of the LPB membership the committee vote will be preordained by loyalty to NUJ Left discussions and decisions. The NUJ Left bloc will always prevail.
I cannot present myself as a candidate to the new branch on the basis that I am putting forward and working for the interests of the membership when I know that in many important matters I will be powerless. The branch will in reality be directed by the demands of an entirely separate unelected group with its own very different aims and plans.
I won’t stand for a position on a committee where I can only fight and lose. Where my role is that of a shoe tied behind a wedding car – I get to be at the wedding and even to go to the honeymoon – but in a merely decorative role and only ending up battered . We could have built a branch incandescent with energy and bursting with achievement, but without a genuinely independent voice for photographers then I cannot have a part in it.”
Quoted from : David Hoffman
http://www.hoffmanphotos.com
Hello campers …!
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On Saturday 17th october, around one thousand climate activists had attempted to shut down Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal power station in Nottinghamshire, taking direct action with repeated breaches of the security fencing.
The action comes only weeks before the UN COP15 Climate Conference in Copenhagen, and follows the arrest of 114 activists in Nottingham for allegedly planning to infiltrate the power station in April.
Activists gathered in various points on Saturday morning, swooping on the power plant in separate groups to arrive at 1pm. Within five minutes they had already broken down one of the perimeter fences and several had entered the plant.
On Saturday night around 300 activists pitched tents in two camps outside the gates, despite attempt by police to intimidate campers by standing next to the campsite in full riot gear. The police have confirmed 58 arrests.
Natasha Blair from the Camp for Climate Action said: ‘We’ve achieved what we came here to do: to show that coal has no future and there is a growing movement which is prepared to take action on climate change.”
Activists from around the world will meet in Copenhagen to finalist plans for similar actions during the UN climate talks taking place in December. The Camp for Climate Action has announced that they will be joining other activists in the ‘Push for Climate Justice’, which aims to take over the talks for a day.
Natasha Blair continued: “In the run up to the UN climate talks in Copenhagen this December, acts of civil disobedience to confront big business and governments that are causing catastrophic climate change are gaining support.”
Camp For Climate Action – http://climatecamp.org.uk
Ratcliffe Power Station ‘Climate Swoop’ 1
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/11/441748.html
Ratcliffe Power Station ‘Climate Swoop’ 2
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/11/441774.html
Ratcliffe Power Station ‘Climate Swoop’ 3
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/11/441800.html
Ratcliffe Power Station ‘Swoop’ [on Flickr]
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