Why must we putting on a photojournalist's badge to take Government's Photos?

Question

Can't we take Government's photos without putting on a badge,also taking photo freedom without chasing out by the security guards.

Answer 1

It's like Ace said. The Press Pass is your ticket to ride.

I have 'working' press credentials and I need to display it along with the pass specifically issued for what I am covering. It is usually color coded for the area you're in. You do NOT get to just wander around and take pictures.

As far as security guards go, they can come with the territory when working a story. If the story I am woking on is favorable, or neutral to the company on whose property I will be shooting, permission is usually given to shoot.

If I was documenting poor working conditions, or environmentally hazardous practices, all bets are off. I have, and may in the future, been arrested for trespass and held for a few hours (once overnight). So far, they have just dropped the charges with threats about the future if I do it again. I lie and say I will be a good boy; they know I am lying and the security guards get a picture of me.

Your rights as a photojournalist, or any kind of journalist, come as a result of guarrantees given by a government to the institutions and processes of legitimate journalism. You can't just declare yourself a photojournalist with inherent rights because of that fact. Outside of covering a legitimate story, you have the same rights and no more, that any citizen has.

Answer 2

Excellent answers.

I strongly urge everyone to go to shutterbug.com and do a Search for an article titled "The Right To Keep and Bear Cameras" by Roger W. Hicks. It was in the Dec. 2007 issue.