FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - NPPA Objects To Homeland Security Secretary's Photography Remarks
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 7:58 am
  #21  
greggwiggins
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Indian Harbour Beach, Fla, USA
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Originally Posted by Bart
Photo journalists put themselves in very awkward situations as a matter of course. I recall in Bosnia when all camps were placed on high alert and responded to all suspicious activity, high among the suspicious incidents were people who went out of their way to take photographs of installations, military activities, etc. A high number of them were photo journalists or people who claimed to be photo journalists.

Here's the clincher: had they made the proper arrangements with the DoD public affairs office, this would have been a non-issue. Granted, I'm talking about a combat zone where the military reigns supreme; however, my point is that photo journalists go out of their way to get the prize-winning NPAA Photo of the Year at the risk of paralleling activities deemed suspicious by law enforcement and force protection specialists.
Bart, as someone who makes his living committing journalism (partly with a camera) I need to explain what's known in my trade as the second rule of journalism: "it is always easier to get forgiveness than permission." Especially in a situation where that permission will likely be delayed to the point that the story is no longer a story.

(Oh, the first rule? That's "never pass up the free food.")
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