French legislation

Hi Marc,

I'm sorry but cannot help with France, but to clarify a point you made, you say, "You can take pictures of police agents, riots"

As you know, the general rule here in Madrid, is that although you can take photos of police during demonstration it does not follow that they like it. But they certainly object to being photographed outside this context.

I was once covering an official event in Opera as a member of the public and a ranking officer told no problem taking photos of the event but not of the police. On an other occasion a Guardia Civil outside an official building during a protest told me not to take photos of him; he thought I had. I offered him my ID details and card with my Demotix link- he told me it was not necessary.

I have also been stopped a couple of times (especially when I was learning this game) and each time I offered the officer my card, with the link, none where interested.

Of course one cannot generalise here, but a lot depends on how we react in these situations - also the way we dress and look.

enjoy France

best

Lawrence

I am NOT a Lawyer and NOT French.

However there are some privacy laws in France that are different to other EU countries. They protect people against photographers (primarily aimed at paparazzi) You should try hunting around the web for information on this. Though it is all likely to be in French.

One place that might be able to help is www.rsf.org as they are based in France. At the least they should be able to tell you who to talk to.

Also you could email the French Demotix editor? I assume there is one?

Finally the French Riot Police (CRS) are legendary. Keep well out of their way at any demo.

Hi Lawrence,

Yep, you're totally right.
In Valencia we had several problems between riot police and 15M members. I "was smart" and played well. I identified myself as freelancer photographer and tried not to look as protester.
I never take "police portraits", but when they see you taking pictures, they usually ask for ID Card. And here is were I use my best smile and good mood. "I'm freelancer photographer, there is my ID agent".

Sometimes riot police asked me to stop taking pictures of some detentions, and when i said "Sorry but i let you do your job so let me do mine" I ended be retained with the protesters, but never get a fine.
In pictures like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcsardon/5852077005/in/set-72157627004239436 I was retained with protesters for not stop taking pictures

Smart advice Lawrence, I'll try to do the same in France.

Marc.

Hi Chris,

"You should try hunting around the web for information on this. Though it is all likely to be in French."
That's my problem. I have no idea about French.

Thanks for your advices. I heard a lot about CRS, so being G20 protesters and CRS police... I bought a gas mask and i'm gonna be very careful about my movements.

I consulted some spanish lawyers who know a little bit about French legislation, and them answered me that laws about taking pictures of demos and riot police are practically same as spain laws.

So... I'll take care to not be on the way of CRS.

Thanks!

Marc.

on the wiki page for the CRS is this note

Their suppressive role and occasional abuse of force [3] towards protesters[4][5] or even school children [6] has led to criticisms among human rights supporters. There have also been a number of complaints against CRS officers on the subject of racism[7] and racial profiling.

Also most of the pictures of the CRS I can find have their faces pixelated so you get some idea of their reputation!!.

btw see this lot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amaqfuIu53s

Hi Marc,

further to Chris's advice there is this from the RSF on France:

PRESS FREEDOM INDEX 2010
http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html

"There has been no progress in several countries where Reporters Without Borders pointed out problems. They include, above all, France and Italy, where events of the past year – violation of the protection of journalists’ sources, the continuing concentration of media ownership, displays of contempt and impatience on the part of government officials towards journalists and their work, and judicial summonses – have confirmed their inability to reverse this trend."

----And whilst we're still on the theory part of the discussion, you might want to have a copy of the:

European Charter on Freedom of the Press
http://www.pressfreedom.eu/en/index.php

"Commissioner Reding welcomes New European Charter on Freedom of the Press
http://tinyurl.com/m8jq6h (original link too long)

Article 3

The right of journalists and media to gather and disseminate information and opinions must not be threatened, restricted or made subject to punishment."

----A more practical aspect would probably be:

- make sure you are not carrying any knives or sharp objects, good excuse to detain you. Or anything that looks like a powder and is white:

- as Chris suggested get in touch with the French desk editor, maybe they could write you an accreditation letter in French.

- make sure you actually have stories about the event on Demotix. File a couple of background stories to show that you are genuine. No police

Best hear from you

Lawrence

Damn spam filter...

I'll be careful with CRS.

About accreditations... It's too late to ask for accreditation (trip is in 5days), besides that I have not uploaded enough histories to get access to Demotix accreditation. I have one from a photographers spanish association, so i'll try with it.

I'm going to upload a couple of old sets before going to France, to have background, yep

No sharp objects, no drugs... no problem with that

I'll publish pictures when i come back to Spain, so they're won't be "breaking news", but could be a decent reporting.

@Marc - When you get there try to find an internet cafe, or a wifi hot spot you can use if you take your laptop with you. I say this because it is very important that you try to get your pictures, and story to Demotix as fast as you can, hopefully in less than 3 hours after you take the pictures. It makes a big difference in who Demotix can send the shots to in trying to get you sales. As you know after one day it is old news, and it takes half that day for newspapers to select what they are going to print from the pictures they have received.

You are going there to cover an important event. I myself would do whatever I could, and make the arrangements to get my pictures in as fast as I could so I am not wasting my time going, and eliminating a huge opportunity as far as possible sales go. You are not going someplace that is isolated from the internet. Take advantage of being there, and try not to restrict the benefits you can gain by getting your pictures to Demotix fast. It makes a huge difference. Above all else, have fun.

@Steve ok. Im gonna take my laptop with me and i'll try to upload pictures as fast as possible. Also i'mg gonna shoot in JPG to speed up the process.
Now I have to figure how to sleep in public public gyms with my laptop and my camera safe :-S

Khop kun khap for the advice

P.D: You're living in Thailand! I loved living 3 months in BKK!!!

Marc, Laptop is easy... use a Kensington lock and cable. sleep up against the wall and lock laptop to radiator or pipe. The other thing is to be inconspicuous and despite what Steve usually says team up with some one else in the gym for "domestic" or sleeping arrangements. Though that does not require working with them in the field. Then you can look after each others kit.

BTW when you say you are sleeping in public gyms... is that with the G20 protesters?

Yep. I'm going embedded with "indignados" (15M members). So it's easy to take pictures from inside, get access to protesters and not have problems with them.

Marc as discussed elsewhere in this forum: you can either be a demonstrator or a reporter not both at the same time.

Being embedded does as you say give you access. It should not make you a member of the group. Reporters embedded in Afghanistan and Iraq did not carry guns or play a part in military activities. They just observed. (though there were a lot of restrictions)

I would read Steve Storys comments on being inconspicuous in the thread on staying safe at demonstrations. Also you do need to appear to be separate to the demonstrators as many Cafe's will not want demonstrators in their cafe lest there is trouble and or the police come in as well...... This is where a Demotix Press card can literally open doors Also I would find the cafe's you want to use and go for a coffee in them before them BEFORE the event. Also test the wifi connection and maybe tell the staff you are a reporter (not a protester or police spy). That way it will be smoother when you come in later to upload the story

"Marc as discussed elsewhere in this forum: you can either be a demonstrator or a reporter not both at the same time."

You're right Chris. I'm aware about that.

When I'm taking demonstration pictures I make distance with demonstrators. Yep, some of them are my friends, but I have to show that I'm taking pictures, not protesting.

When police appears... i'm not a demonstrator. I did in Spain several times never had problems with that.

For police i'm not a demonstrator and for demonstrators i'm a friend or "supporter".

Great advice about coffees. I'll put in practice.

When I come back to Spain I'll apply to Demotix Press card. It will make easier for next time.

Thanks again.