More Council interference
Discussion
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council said ‘The council has a duty of care during events to members of the public, and has the right to question all photographers'.
I wonder where they got that right from, and what will the questions be?
They'll be stopping foster parents from adopting children next. Oh hang on...
I wonder where they got that right from, and what will the questions be?
They'll be stopping foster parents from adopting children next. Oh hang on...
Odd use of wording in their article though, "publicly-accessible Christmas lights event" it it was in a public area, on a high street or similar would they not have just said that? Makes me wonder if it was on Council owned property in which case the Council have the right to control photography as any land owner has.
covboy said:
Link blocked at work, can anyone please copy/paste the content?Cheers
Quote from Amateur Photorapher Website
"Council officials have officially warned all photographers – including amateurs and those with camera phones – that they must seek permission to take pictures at council-run events, including those designed to celebrate Christmas.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council confirmed the restrictions after freelance photographer Andrew Bartlett was told to stop taking pictures at a publicly-accessible Christmas lights event earlier this month.
Bartlett had complained that a ‘Santa assistant' – later revealed to be a council official – had approached him at a Christmas-themed market in the Welsh town.
In a statement, issued to Amateur Photographer (AP), the council said: ‘We understand the frustration of any photographer who may not be able to take photographs freely at events such as the Christmas Ilumination Ceremony, especially given their hobby and enthusiasm for photography.
‘However, as a local authority, we require all photographers and media agencies to secure permission from the council's Corporate Communications department prior to arriving on site.'
The council said it does not currently hold an official photography policy but that this is ‘being reviewed with a view to putting a policy in place in the near future'.
The statement continued: ‘The council has a duty of care during events to members of the public, and has the right to question all photographers.
‘We ask all those wishing to film or take photos to complete a media request in advance and ensure that all appropriate consents/permissions are secured during photography sessions.
‘As a result of this, should any photographer wish to attend any future council-run events to take photographs, we recommend that they contact the Corporate Communications department prior to the event in order for us to support any requests and advise accordingly.'
A council spokesperson said the same rules apply to members of the public using camera phones.
Bartlett today told AP that the council has since sent him a copy of the rules."
"Council officials have officially warned all photographers – including amateurs and those with camera phones – that they must seek permission to take pictures at council-run events, including those designed to celebrate Christmas.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council confirmed the restrictions after freelance photographer Andrew Bartlett was told to stop taking pictures at a publicly-accessible Christmas lights event earlier this month.
Bartlett had complained that a ‘Santa assistant' – later revealed to be a council official – had approached him at a Christmas-themed market in the Welsh town.
In a statement, issued to Amateur Photographer (AP), the council said: ‘We understand the frustration of any photographer who may not be able to take photographs freely at events such as the Christmas Ilumination Ceremony, especially given their hobby and enthusiasm for photography.
‘However, as a local authority, we require all photographers and media agencies to secure permission from the council's Corporate Communications department prior to arriving on site.'
The council said it does not currently hold an official photography policy but that this is ‘being reviewed with a view to putting a policy in place in the near future'.
The statement continued: ‘The council has a duty of care during events to members of the public, and has the right to question all photographers.
‘We ask all those wishing to film or take photos to complete a media request in advance and ensure that all appropriate consents/permissions are secured during photography sessions.
‘As a result of this, should any photographer wish to attend any future council-run events to take photographs, we recommend that they contact the Corporate Communications department prior to the event in order for us to support any requests and advise accordingly.'
A council spokesperson said the same rules apply to members of the public using camera phones.
Bartlett today told AP that the council has since sent him a copy of the rules."
covboy said:
Quote from Amateur Photorapher Website
....
‘As a result of this, should any photographer wish to attend any future council-run events to take photographs, we recommend that they contact the Corporate Communications department prior to the event in order for us to support any requests and advise accordingly.'
....
Perhaps we should all do this, along with everyone in the country with a cameraphone. I wonder how the Merthyr Tydfil council would cope with 50,000,000 applications to the Corporate Communications department ....
‘As a result of this, should any photographer wish to attend any future council-run events to take photographs, we recommend that they contact the Corporate Communications department prior to the event in order for us to support any requests and advise accordingly.'
....
MartinP said:
It looks like they don't even know why they're trying to stop/control photography.
Very possible; it is a Council's natural instinct to control everything regardless of logic or reason.But in this case, it has been proven that all photographers are either terrorists, or paedophiles, in fact probably both, so must be stopped from, er, taking photographs. Yes, that's it. Policy approved. Next item - biscuits for coffee break: hob nobs or ginger nuts?
Simpo Two said:
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council said ‘The council has a duty of care during events to members of the public, and has the right to question all photographers'.
I don't understand how questioning photographers will ensure the council is carrying out its duty of care. What is the relationship between photographers taking pictures of Christmas lights, and harm occuring to members of the public?I assume from this all encompassing duty of care also covers
All bags being searched for bombs and weapons.
All pavemments and road surfaces being repaired to ensure no one falls over
All council members being accompanied at all council events in case they harm themselves or a member of the public through stupidity
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