MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Spain wants to ban photos and filming of security forces ‘on exercise of their functions’
Interior minister Fernandez Diaz anticipated the proposal The Spanish government challenged by growing protests and street demonstrations and a possible national strike next month is considering a ban on photographing, filming or reproducing images of police and state security forces that are on duty, according to officials.
Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz said the government is considering prohibiting the capture, playback and processing of images, sounds or data of security forces while “in the exercise of their functions.”
Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said after months of television and Internet scenes of sometimes violent clashes between police and demonstrators, a balance had to be struck “between citizens' right to protest” and the need “to uphold the integrity of state security forces.”
The government's plans were unveiled a day after Spain's director general of police, Cosido Ignacio, said efforts are under way to secure such a ban.
At the government's weekly Cabinet news conference, Saenz de Santamaria was repeatedly asked by journalists from several media organizations how the measure would affect press freedom.
“This is a complex issue, but we will try to find a balance,” she said, adding that the task of government was to protect all its citizens.
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Read all commentsFilming of security forces 'functions'?
Oct 22nd, 2012 - 06:12 am 0Does that mean you can't photograph them on the toilet? Well I should hope not.
To be honest, I'm surprised at this story, I would've thought that photographing or filming police and military in the course of their work would've required permission anyway.
On the other hand, it the police are filmed in a riot, and are found to be up to no good, then surely that would be evidence against the police, so curbing the rights of journalists to film it, could be considered a way of tampering with evidence.
A fine line needs t be drawn, because if you go too far you deny the freedom of the press, and start limiting people's human rights.
European democracy, what can you say :)
Oct 22nd, 2012 - 06:46 am 0The freedom of expression means you are allowed to upset muslims, should you say something about rhe westeners, you are done for ( ask David Kelly....'s wife)
Freedom of press means the media is free to lie at will, but should you show some truth in public, the drive will come after you (ask Assange).
Last we have freedom of choice. This one they deal with greatly. You are free to choose between pest and colera, every 4-5 years... ;)
2 Guzz
Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:02 am 0More like the Latino approach to democracy. A daft idea considering the number of mobile phones that record video. How can you enforce it?
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