NUJ offers legal help to photographers
The National Union of Journalist has set up a legal helpline for photographers and journalists who find themselves hampered by the police while covering the G20 summit and protests tomorrow
Images © Marina Scukina/BJP.
Fearing that heavy-handed policing might prevent journalists in general and photographers in particular from properly doing their job, the NUJ has announced that a legal helpline will be available all day tomorrow.
'Previous summits have proved that members might have a need for advice and representation by solicitors specialising in criminal law,' says John Toner, NUJ freelance organiser. 'The NUJ is offering this service to its members, but hoping no one will have to make use of it.'
From 9.30am until 5.30pm on 02 April, members whose subscriptions are paid up and who need help while attending the summit or protests in a professional capacity should contact the NUJ legal department on 020 7843 3721. The NUJ will relay the information to an appropriate solicitor if needed.
Outside of office hours, NUJ members should contact Toner on 07710 314593, who will then contact a solicitor on behalf of the member.
In a February debate with the British Press Photographers' Association and BJP, Superintendent David Hartshorn of the London Metropolitan Police's Public Order branch adviced photographers who find themselves stopped by police officers to deal with the situation with calm. 'Try not to go for the confrontational approach,' he said. 'Generally, if you are reasonable, you can resolve it.'
BPPA's chairman Jeff Moore agreed, while pointing out that if photographers want to make a complaint, they absolutely need to have a witness. He added that complaints done informally could help in making officers realise that they have no reason to exacerbate a situation.
Non-NUJ members can still contact the Union if they are stopped by police officers when covering the protests. The NUJ has a Policing Incident Report service, available online, which lets photographers file a brief report of any instances where they have been stopped in their work by a police officer for no apparent legitimate reason.
For more information and to log an incident, visit
www.londonfreelance.org/policing.
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