NPPA hosts “the Right to Photograph and Record in Public”

Two free seminars sponsored by the National Press Photographers Association and the SDX Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists were held on Thurs., Oct. 16 in Dallas. The morning program, geared for law enforcement officers and organizations, addressed First and Fourth amendment rights, search and seizure, exigent circumstances, federal civil rights lawsuits against police agencies and an analysis and update on the most recent cases and court rulings with these issues. 

Mickey H. Osterreicher, general counsel for the NPPA, stressed the right of both the press and the general public to photograph and record while in public. Osterreicher also stressed that there is no “reasonable expectation of privacy” if one is in a public area — but there is also a “reasonable time, place and manner of restriction,” (for instance, in delicate situations such as a suicide, homicide, etc.).

The evening panel was held in an open discussion format for the public to become more aware of these vital rights.

“The great thing about the panel was hearing the assertions about the right to record coming from the police representatives, as opposed to just from lawyers and photographers,” said Alicia Calzada, attorney at Haynes and Boone, LLP and former photojournalist. “Also, it was clear from the Dallas photographers in the room that they generally have a great relationship with the police and have a very good relationship with the department.” 

The evening panel discussion included Mickey H. Osterreicher, general counsel, NPPA; Major Max Geron, media relations, Dallas Police Department; Marc A. Fuller, counsel, Vinson & Elkins LLP; Ronald Pinkston, president, Dallas Police Association and Guy Reynolds, photo editor for the Dallas Morning News.