Thread by @paulgknox

@CaraMcK If you’re in a public space, you as a journalist should be able to record audio or video (and take notes) of anything you consider newsworthy. I’d say review it before publishing so you can provide a description and context, plus ID of the subject & badge # of police. 1/x @CJFE

@CaraMcK @CJFE You have the right as a citizen to do the same but if you are a journalist by trade or occupation, whether employed or on assignment or not, it’s best to be one prospectively. Gives you a reason for asking questions, getting names & so on. 2/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE Get close enough to get good images & sound, but be sure you aren’t obstructing police. (More on this later.) If you’re challenged by the police (or anyone else) say you’re a reporter on public property documenting a public occurrence, not interfering or breaking any law. 3/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE Technically your only obligation is to state your name & address if asked. If a cop tries to physically restrain you, block your lens, grab your phone or gear, or use force to move you, say you object and that you have the right to be wher you are & do what you’re doing. 4/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE If the aggression continues, ask if you’re under arrest. If the answer is yes, ask what law the officer believes you’ve broken. If it’s obstructing police, get them to be specific. If there’s something you can do without stopping your recording, consider doing it. 5/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE But remember that you aren’t interfering just by being there. There’s no law against refusing to go away. Having said that, be as calm and polite as you can, unless physical aggression continues, in which case try to attract attention by screaming for help. 6/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE Try to keep recording as long as you can, and try to keep your phone or recording device from being damaged. If asked to surrender a device, refuse. Same if you’re asked to show photos or videos. (Have a plan to upload or store material offline as you gather it.) 7/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE It’s unlikely you’d be arrested, handcuffed and taken to a police station to be charged, but if any of that happens, keep repeating that you’re a journalist and your Charter right to freedom of the press is being violated. You can start to be annoying now. 8/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE If your phone was seized keep asking for it back and reminding officers that they have no right to search it. Don’t give them passwords. When you get to the station ask to use a phone (preferably yours). Call a lawyer if you know one, otherwise friends or family. 9/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE It’s unlikely you’d be charged with an offence, but be prepared. OK now, sequence of events suggested here is like a template. Potential variations are infinite. At various points you’ll have to decide if it’s worth making a small compromise to be able to keep witnessing. 10/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE Your own safety comes first, but also keep in mind that the story you want is the one you were recording, not the one about your own heroic stand in defence of free expression. If you can, ask the police why they were treating the original subject the way they did. 11/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE I said I’d come back to the journalist/citizen thing. For many years there’s been discussion about the limits to bearing witness and reporting, and at what point journalists as human beings have a more important responsibility to intervene directly to save people from harm. 12/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE Some say it’s unconscionable to record a person being harmed, or worse, without intervening. For others, doing the best possible job of reporting and publishing is important. Unless you’re trained in de-escalating conflict, or are strong enough to make a difference ... 13/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE ... you may not be able to help much in that way, whereas reporting and publishing may get action in the case at hand and lead to curbs on, in this instance, police use of force. This discussion has many facets and each situation is unique, so I just want to flag it here. 14/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE In recent years a lot of work has been done to raise awareness about best practices in covering civil unrest and the danger of lasting trauma from witnessing real-life violence. Here are some links:

journalismforum.ca
newssafety.org/home/
dartcenter.org/about

15/x

@CaraMcK @CJFE I hope this has been useful; if anyone has thoughts or questions, please get at me by responding here or via DM. Enjoy the weekend! 16/16

@CaraMcK @CJFE ps: 1) If events happen on private property, such as in a mall or parking lot, there’s still a public interest in knowing what agents of the state are doing. However, if you’re asked to leave by private security, you risk a trespassing charge if you don’t do so. Use judgment.

@CaraMcK @CJFE @threadreaderapp pls unroll, thanks again