NUJ appeals against order compelling journalists to give footage to police

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2012/feb/29/nationalunionofjournalists-medialaw

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The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed along with several broadcasting organisations against an order that compels journalists to hand over their footage to the police.

The appeal raises fundamental issues about the ability of the press to report matters of public interest impartially and without fear of intimidation.

The application has been made on behalf of an NUJ member, Jason Parkinson. The BBC, ITN, BSkyB and Hardcash Productions have also submitted appeals. It follows a court ruling that requires media companies to comply with a production order by giving up to Essex police all the footage gathered during the first two days of the Dale Farm evictions. It included images of a police officer using a taser gun. Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ's general secretary, said:

"Journalists played a critical public interest role in reporting on Dale Farm, producing footage on the ground so the public were informed about exactly what was happening.

Their reward is to be hounded and criminalised by the state simply for doing their job as journalists. The appeal launched by the NUJ will have significant implications for the whole of our industry and we are challenging this decision because the union's code of conduct compels the union – and our members - to defend a vital principle, the protection of journalistic sources and material. Our members regularly face attack and intimidation whilst doing their jobs. The danger increases if footage gathered whilst reporting events is seized and used by the police.

This is an attack on press freedom and turns photographers, videographers and journalists into potential targets. Journalists are not there to carry out investigatory work for the police."

Parkinson, a video journalist, said: "The production order against me could have grave professional consequences and there is a danger it will have a serious impact on my ability to carry out my job in the future. "I want to protect the integrity and impartiality of journalists on the frontline." John Domokos, video producer for Guardian.co.uk, said: "Jason has been a contributor of public order and unrest footage to The Guardian for many years.

"We are very concerned about this production order as we believe it will not only seriously jeopardise his safety and ability to cover future events of this nature, but also affect the safety and impartiality of all video journalists."

Source: NUJ