Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Eric: Are you saying that photographing accident scenes or public events is only for PJs with press passes? If I publish a news magazine, am I automatically considered "press?" If so, how does one go about getting a "press pass?" Are these distributed by law enforcement, or does the newspaper or magazine make their own? At 06:33 PM 4/13/98 -0500, Eric Welch wrote: >At 01:18 PM 4/13/98 -0400, you wrote: > >>< Can I tell a policeman at an accident scene that I am a photographer and >>that I >> have the right to be there to document the scene? Will he ask me for >> a press pass? >> >>This is a practical matter. Generally, if you want access beyond that given >>to the general public, they will ask you for a press pass. > >Are you an aspiring photojournalist? If so, talk to the local paper. > >Press passes are for identification only. There is no such thing as a piece >of paper that grants you the "right" to access anywhere. Police are >required in California to let the press into disaster scenes, as long as it >is safe to do so. In most states, it's a matter of common sense. The press >needs to be there, and the police have no right to stop them except for >public safety. Good journalists work with the police to make sure their >coverage doesn't endanger someone else, or interfere with rescue operations. > >It's much easier for us press photographers if some wannabe isn't also >trying to get in. So if your intent is to become a journalist, then >welcome, please do so. But if you're doing it for kicks, find something >else to photograph. >========== > >Eric Welch >St. Joseph, MO >http://www.ponyexpress.net/~ewelch > >Okay, who put a stop payment on my reality check? > Francesco Sanfilippo, Five Senses Productions webmaster@5senses.com http://www.5senses.com/