Photographing police could become illegal in Spain

PUBLISHED: November 11, 2012 at 9:00 am • LAST EDITED: November 13, 2012 at 5:58 am
Lead2, National News • 7 Comments

• Riot police clash with protesters in Spain

PHOTOGRAPHING or filming police carrying out their duties could soon be illegal.

In a move criticised by civil liberty groups, the government is to pass a law which would ban recording police if doing so endangers them or their work.

The ban would also prevent material being reproduced, for example on the internet.

It comes following widespread distribution of images showing ‘police brutality’ during anti-austerity marches over the last few months.

Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said a balance needed to be struck between citizens’ rights to protest and the need to uphold the integrity of the law.

But Angel Casana from Spanish daily El Mundo said: “If this proposal goes ahead, it is going to be impossible to know about events as they occur on the streets.”

Did you like this? Share it:

Reader Comments »

antonio2

November 11th, 2012 11:37 am

More Franco- style legislation? Most police forces in the world have their share of out-and-out thugs, it is only the camera which has the power to limit their activities.

luc

November 11th, 2012 12:25 pm

very bad…..reminds me of earlier days…1940/1945…

Mark

November 12th, 2012 12:25 pm

I always wanted to a coffee table book of photos of the police in their day to day life. Just this morning I have seen a Police car parked in a bus lane while a policeman uses a cash point and 4 police drinking coffee in a petrol station, give me a week and I fill the book of photos

Ben

November 13th, 2012 11:14 am

Typical. The solution is to stop the police beating citizens up not stopping citizens filming the beatings, meanwhile the police are still allowed to film us!

Marbella Mansions

November 13th, 2012 12:54 pm

I dont think it should be allowed, if the police are behaving incorrectly, why not let the world see it. Why give them the privacy.

Reality

November 13th, 2012 9:56 pm

This is bad. Social liberty in Spain is one of the few redeeming factors that separates it from places like Australia, Germany, UK or USA. We do not want the country to go that route.

Ben

November 16th, 2012 4:32 pm

In Salt Lake City police officers will be required to wear a system that cannot be edited by officers. Now, if it’s a good idea for them, why not for us?

Messages will be moderated or deleted if they:
• Are considered likely to disrupt, provoke, attack or offend others
• Are racist, sexist, homophobic, sexually explicit, abusive or otherwise objectionable
• Contain swear words or other language likely to offend
• Break the law or condone or encourage unlawful activity. This includes breach of copyright, defamation and contempt of court
• Advertise products or services for profit or gain
• Are seen to impersonate someone else
• Include contact details such as phone numbers, postal or email addresses
• Describe or encourage activities which could endanger the safety or well-being of others

Back to the Top