As police in New York and elsewhere continue to target journalists in violation of their own policies around the public’s right to know, it’s important that citizen journalists stay vigilant and informed, and that people stay connected to what’s going on.
NY Times reports on repeated acts of police brutality and threats toward journalists, and the “perversely counterintuitive” excuses given by the mayor and police commissioner for the ongoing abuse:
Mayoral press representatives stoutly insisted that the police acted properly. “It is impossible to say the reporters were not breaking the law”…
New York State Senator (and retired police captain) Eric Adams is quoted:
“If the police and the mayor won’t follow their own rules, whose rules will they follow?” he says. “And very few people ask any questions.”
New York, Mr. Adams says, “is leading the way in not wanting to know where it’s going.”
How to Film a Revolution
An introductory tutorial for aspiring citizen journalists to consider before next entering the field. You are needed more than ever, to bring the people direct truth, taking out the middle man in the archaic mainstream media. Each camera is a new set of eyes we all share in near real time – no one can take this from us, so it is imperative we refine and develop new skills and strategies to capture the missteps of power. Let us know if you have any ideas for a follow up video about how to better film a revolution! Dedicated to the Citizen Journalist, who is just as important as the Protester in bringing about real change. Directed by Corey Ogilvie.
It offers 5 practical pointers on how to film safely and strategically when police turn peaceful protest into state violence:
- Call out for cameras: get people over, the more the merrier
- Don’t film vertically: self-explanatory and super frustrating for editors
- Keep your distance: you can’t film if you are injured or break your camera
- Protect yourself: watch out for advanced weaponry (pepper spray, toxic tear gas, phosphor flash grenades, rubber bullets, wooden batons, sound cannons, and raging horses)
- Defend your rights: stand up for yourself as a journalist
It also diagrams strategic formations for multi-camera coverage in various situations, and gives useful advice on video sharing for maximum value.
Related posts/links:
- How to successfully Resist Police Intimidation and Defend Your Rights
- ACLU Know Your Rights: Photographers and Videographers
- How to Live Stream from Cell Phone
Occupy now has its own Social Network
Occupii.org, the new social network site for all things Occupy has launched today. (via The Daily Occupation)
UPDATE 1/5/12
The Nation: What Are the Rights of Reporters Covering Protests?
What rights do reporters have to gather the news? Do they need credentials? Do reporters have the right in public places to record police activity? If a police officer unlawfully interferes with a reporter while she’s gathering the news, can the reporter sue the officer? Below, Jonathan Peters, an attorney specializing in First Amendment law, explains.
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