TSA poster equates photographers with terrorists, press group says

[Newsjock]

Source: Poynter Institute

The National Press Photographers' Association is protesting a Transportation Security Administration poster and counter card depicting a photographer as a terrorist. The poster shows someone in a dark hooded sweatshirt pointing a large camera at a small jet, with the warning, "Don't let our planes get into the wrong hands."

NPPA has asked TSA to remove the poster and cards from airports. An agency spokesman said the agency already plans to do that as it phases in a new public-awareness campaign against terrorism.

NPPA General Counsel Mickey Osterreicher contends that the poster is the latest example of the government questioning photographers and stifling free speech under the pretext of security and safety.

"I just find it absurd to have limits on people taking pictures. It's a protected, free speech activity," Osterreicher said in a phone interview. "It's really unfortunate that under circumstances such as post-9/11, what suffers are a lot of First Amendment issues."

Read more: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=101&aid=191555
Picture of poster at the link

[truedelphi]

1. Good to know that someone is trying to wrassle with the Homeland Security people.

When tourists at the Lincoln Memorial are hassled for trying to photograph their kids at the site, while the airports don't bother people carrying items that look like bomb detonators, one has to wonder how safe we really are.

[DirkGently]

2. Down we go on the Fascist Fun slide. Report your neighbors! Especially journalists!

[Rex]

3. The Department of Homeland Security will do EVERYTHING BUT

try and find out what really happened on 9/11.

Another pathetic bureaucracy that will bring us nothing but sorrow.

Think FEMA on 'roids.

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. You need to add DU'er "RagininMiami",s website to your favorites.

http://carlosmiller.com/

Carlos (RagininMiami) had this news up on his website for quite a while now.

He is on the forefront of the battle against oppression of simple photography in public places.

Edited to add that he has a Facebook page also, so you can be made aware of all his updates.

[ManiacJoe]

5. Immediately reminded me of this:

http://newsarse.com/2010/08/06/terrorists-sick-of-being-treated-like-photographers/

[DirkGently]

6. That's hilarious.

[Cetacea]

7. ...