On the 7 July 2010 I wrote a post titled Attacks on Freedom of Expression which included a video detailing how photographers Carlos Miller and Stretch Ledford were banned for life from the Miami-Dade Metrorail in the U.S.

Now the British Home Secretary, Theresa May, has said that the British government is making street photography rights a priority in its review of anti-terrorism legislation.

This comes after several British photographer groups and advocates – including the I’m a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! campaign – have been lobbying for photographers’ rights since broad and far-reaching anti-terrorism laws have been introduced in many countries post 9/11.

In a recent statement, May said:

“National security is the first duty of government but we are also committed to reversing the substantial erosion of civil liberties. I want a counter-terrorism regime that is proportionate, focused and transparent.”

The review will look at what counter-terrorism powers and measures could be rolled back “in order to restore the balance of civil liberties and counter-terrorism powers.”

Photo by lewishamdreamer

The review will focus on six areas – one of them being “stop and search powers in section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and the use of terrorism legislation in relation to photography,” said the British Home Secretary.

Section 44 was suspended last week. This is the controversial and broad provision that allowed authorities to stop and search anyone, and to seize property that could be used in connection with terrorism.

The I’m a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! organization commented on their website:

“We are delighted at this news of the suspension of Section 44. We are sure photographers across the UK are looking forward to freely photographing in a public place without the being bullied by the police and corporate security guards.”

but continues:

“Unfortunately there are still a swathe of laws that police can and will still use to harass photographers, most notably Section 43, which is similar to Section 44 but requires an officer to suspect that you are a terrorist and Section 76 which makes it illegal to ‘elicit information about a police officer’ which includes photographing them.”

Here in Sydney, Australia world-renowned landscape photographer Ken Duncan is spearheading a Sydney rally to raise awareness about the eroding rights of photographers in Australia.

The details of the Sydney rally are:

Date: 29 August 2010

Time: 10:00am – 12:00 noon

Location: Near Campbells Cove on Sydney Harbour

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