U.K. 'Public' photography under threat

[Propwash]

The shooting party is over , article H E R E (Times Online)

[Thijs]

A law very hard to maintain, and what about pictures taken before this law, are they illegal?

[Propwash]

I 'personally' think, public pictures taken before this BS can't be illegal

These day's you can be arrested for nothing and put in jail without allegations (terrorism act).

Anyway, the U.K. is tighten up their Perception Politics against terrorism, see (issued 05th March 2010) Counter Terrorism Protective Security Advice for General Aviation (pdf)

[Javindo50]

Interesting, and what about the pictures of Google's street view (f.i. in Belfast)?

Or if you do not want your house or shop photographed by them?

[Melchior Timmers]

Indeed hard to maintain. And what about photography during public air shows?
It looks like the UK is becoming a scarred country more and more.

From the article:
"In the most spied-on country in the world, with an estimated 4.2m CCTV cameras tracking our moves, people are now suspicious if Joe Nikon presses his shutter button"

Cheers,

[Propwash]

Indeed hard to maintain. And what about photography during public air shows?

I don't know (You tell me, I tell You )

[ehusmann]

I am sorry to say, but North Korea is easier on taking pitcures. At least there you can take a picture if your guide says yes. In the UK you cannot ask anyone, it is just plain forbidden.... What kind of freaky society are we living in these days?

Erwin

[Hurricane]

.... What kind of freaky society are we living in these days?

This seems to be expending on daily base ; in the worst case this might backfire hard as people will stay away (just like the flighttax here in the Netherlands, not exactly the same but in general the idea match)

[Key]

While I am deeply concerned over this kind of hysteria by 'law' enforcers, I do want to urge to stick to the facts, chaps. There is no law forbidding photography in public places in the UK, at least not according to the article (page 3, para. 2). In stead, there is random action by officials who have, or seem to have, the power to forbid photography. Nothing new to our hobby, as a matter of fact. Perhaps the annoyance this now causes on a broader scale will even help us get clearer definitions for do's and don'ts around airfields. We can only hope these will not have the form of a general ban.

We all know restrictions on photography can serve a valid goal. The problem, as always, starts when people with limited insights are given the power to control other's actions. Combined with a general regime of fear, often installed by our own governments ('let us battle terrorism/child abuse/smoking/too much sugar together, report anything suspicious') leads to cases where parents get in trouble for photographing their own children. Vigilance is good, suspicion by default is stupid.

Erik

[ehusmann]

While I am deeply concerned over this kind of hysteria by 'law' enforcers, I do want to urge to stick to the facts, chaps. There is no law forbidding photography in public places in the UK, at least not according to the article (page 3, para. 2). In stead, there is random action by officials who have, or seem to have, the power to forbid photography.

Which makes matters even worse. This calls for arbitrary action. As you have read in the article, there are the weirdest examples where people now are being told not to even take pictures of their own children! If it were a law, it would be clear. One of the differences between democratic societies based on the rule of law and authoritarian regimes is that first is based on equality, not on arbitrary actions....

But now I am getting into political statements, which is forbidden on this board I believe....

Erwin

[Key]

There is a factor you are not mentioning: in certain (many) circumstances, law enforcers or similar do not need a specific law on photography in public places to forbid it, legally. There are often other laws or regulations enabling them to do so. In many cases, for a good reason.
What indeed has to be stopped, is the sheer random application of such rules for no good reason whatsoever.

As a side note, I think you may be causing confusion with statements about democracy, North Korea and so on. It may, in a way, be the same kind of lack of nuance that is causing senseless photography bans... And there is no rule against political statements on this board that I am aware of.

Erik

[aviodromefriend]

Well, it is not only the UK. Heard this night at the dutch TV show "de wereld draait door" these kind of meassures are also in place in France.

[Hans]

Hi,

But now I am getting into political statements, which is forbidden on this board I believe....

As such, political statements/discussions are not forbidden here. But those discussion do tend to end up with throwing mud at each other somehow, at which point we indeed do pull the plug
So as long as those discussions stay civilized, just go ahead!

Hans

ps; although those discussions probably will be moved to either the Tattle Lounge or t Praethuys off course