Don't Take a Picture

If the New York City Council has its way, it will soon be illegal to take a picture or film in public anywhere in the city without a (free) permit and (Ready? Wait for it.) $1 million in liability insurance. Supposedly, these new rules  will only apply to large film shoots, but their is so ambiguous that cops could easily use it to deny press coverage, hassle amateurs, and hustle independent media and student filmmakers off the street. See for yourself; this is from the Permits section and describes what instances the new rules apply to:

(ii) Filming, photography, production, television or radio remotes occurring on City property, as described in subdivision (a) of this section, involving an interaction among two or more people at a single site for thirty or more minutes, including all set-up and breakdown time in connection with such activities; or

(iii) Filming, photography, production, television or radio remotes occurring on City property, as described in subdivision (a) of this section, involving an interaction among five or more people at a single site and the use of a single tripod for ten or more minutes, including all set-up and breakdown time in connection with such activities.

The time limits are particularly absurd, as is the "two or more" limit. That's like prohibiting a filmed conversation between two people in public. Also ominous is this provision, which describes which activities are exempt:

(iii) Filming or photography of a parade, rally, protest, or demonstration except when using vehicles or equipment other than a handheld device or single tripod.

You could easily interpret that as denying access to a news team, or citizen reporters with some good equipment. (Republican National Convention flashback, anyone?) It's a Draconian rule worthy of Rudy.

The ACLU has already indicated that if this is passed, they will sue the city because film and photography are already considered protected speech activities, and the $1 million insurance is really punitive and prohibitive for indie filmmakers and photographers. The rule was first published for comment just after Memorial Day with very little fanfare, and public comment closes on August 3. A group called Picture New York has been organizing protests and an online petition asking for another public hearing with better publicity.

I'm interested in not just because I take a lot of pictures of the city and use some of them in my own work, but because it's very definitely a civil liberties issue. If you're interested too, sign the petition and check out Picture New York.

(Via MG and the New York Times.)

Comments

[Cruella]

What about my inalienable right to take photos of assholes and post them up on Hollaback? What else am I supposed to do when this happens?

[Lee Kottner]

Big sticks occur to me, also, but I like the Hollaback idea too. Go for it!