Police love photos of crimes. Unless it makes them look bad | Full Comment | National Post
Matt Gurney: Police love photos of crimes. Unless they make them look bad
In the fall of 2011, the Vancouver Police fanned out across the city to serve warrants to all the local major media outlets. These warrants ordered the media outlets to turn over all photos and video footage they might have taken of the 2011 Stanley Cup riot. The motive behind the request was logical — police wanted to use the footage as evidence, especially images that may not have been broadcast or published and could contain evidence of crimes.
The media outlets fought back, arguing that should police access to photo journalism become routine, journalists and photographers would be in danger when covering public disturbances. Someone who’s just looted a store or burned a car might see value in attacking a journalist and destroying their equipment if they fear it could later be used to prosecute them. In a court challenge mounted by the media companies, a lawyer argued that the police were effectively seeking to deputize journalists.
The challenge ultimately failed. The photos were surrendered at the courts’ order. Clearly, police see value in citizen journalism. Or, at least, when the cameras aren’t pointed at them.
Recently, the CBC reported a disturbing story out of Burnaby, B.C. Jakub Markiewicz, a 16-year old amateur photographer and aspiring journalist, was in a local shopping mall when he saw mall security officers in a confrontation with a man. Mr. Markiewicz produced a camera from his backpack and began taking photos of the event. Mall security guards yelled at him to stop; Mr. Markiewicz continued. After security guards had finished arresting the man they were grappling with, Mr. Markiewicz reports turning to leave the mall. On his way out, he photographed the arrival of local RCMP officers who were on their way to assist the mall security guards.
Matt Gurney: Police love photos of crimes. Unless they make them look bad
In the fall of 2011, the Vancouver Police fanned out across the city to serve warrants to all the local major media outlets. These warrants ordered the media outlets to turn over all photos and video footage they might have taken of the 2011 Stanley Cup riot. The motive behind the request was logical — police wanted to use the footage as evidence, especially images that may not have been broadcast or published and could contain evidence of crimes.
The media outlets fought back, arguing that should police access to photo journalism become routine, journalists and photographers would be in danger when covering public disturbances. Someone who’s just looted a store or burned a car might see value in attacking a journalist and destroying their equipment if they fear it could later be used to prosecute them. In a court challenge mounted by the media companies, a lawyer argued that the police were effectively seeking to deputize journalists.
The challenge ultimately failed. The photos were surrendered at the courts’ order. Clearly, police see value in citizen journalism. Or, at least, when the cameras aren’t pointed at them.
Recently, the CBC reported a disturbing story out of Burnaby, B.C. Jakub Markiewicz, a 16-year old amateur photographer and aspiring journalist, was in a local shopping mall when he saw mall security officers in a confrontation with a man. Mr. Markiewicz produced a camera from his backpack and began taking photos of the event. Mall security guards yelled at him to stop; Mr. Markiewicz continued. After security guards had finished arresting the man they were grappling with, Mr. Markiewicz reports turning to leave the mall. On his way out, he photographed the arrival of local RCMP officers who were on their way to assist the mall security guards.