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Photographers hit back over Pryce pictures - we acted properly Photographers hit back over Pryce pictures - we acted properly
(6 months later)
My criticisms of papers for publishing, and photographers for taking, pictures of Vicky Pryce in prison have caused something of a stir among photojournalists.My criticisms of papers for publishing, and photographers for taking, pictures of Vicky Pryce in prison have caused something of a stir among photojournalists.
It was the posting about the unidentified photographer, who questioned the provenance of the pictures, that has caused the greatest upset.It was the posting about the unidentified photographer, who questioned the provenance of the pictures, that has caused the greatest upset.
Let me dispel one particular canard. He exists. I know who he is. And he simply wishes to remain anonymous. But he is aware of the storm, having sent me the Facebook Snapperweb page that relays much of the criticism.Let me dispel one particular canard. He exists. I know who he is. And he simply wishes to remain anonymous. But he is aware of the storm, having sent me the Facebook Snapperweb page that relays much of the criticism.
He stands by what he said, sincerely believing that it was impossible to obtain pictures of people inside East Sutton Park open prison without trespassing.He stands by what he said, sincerely believing that it was impossible to obtain pictures of people inside East Sutton Park open prison without trespassing.
In fact, a former Daily Mirror colleague of mine has been in touch with me to point out that he was among the group of photographers who turned up at the jail on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.In fact, a former Daily Mirror colleague of mine has been in touch with me to point out that he was among the group of photographers who turned up at the jail on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
He wanted to make several points: first, at least four of the photographers were professionals sent by national papers to obtain the pictures. Though the images used by the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail were taken by a paparazzo, that was evidently a piece of luck. He just happened to be in the best position to get the shot.He wanted to make several points: first, at least four of the photographers were professionals sent by national papers to obtain the pictures. Though the images used by the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail were taken by a paparazzo, that was evidently a piece of luck. He just happened to be in the best position to get the shot.
Second, the church land from which the photographers operated is not prison property, so the snappers had a right to be there. Third, they spoke to the vicar who seemed happy to let them be.Second, the church land from which the photographers operated is not prison property, so the snappers had a right to be there. Third, they spoke to the vicar who seemed happy to let them be.
Fourth, they operated with the full knowledge of the prison staff whose only request was that they should not hide behind trees but stand out in the open. My ex-Mirror colleague says everyone was happy to comply with this request.Fourth, they operated with the full knowledge of the prison staff whose only request was that they should not hide behind trees but stand out in the open. My ex-Mirror colleague says everyone was happy to comply with this request.
Separately, I have also received an email from Chris Eades, acting, he says, on behalf of the British Press Photographers Association. His central point is that the photographers acted properly.Separately, I have also received an email from Chris Eades, acting, he says, on behalf of the British Press Photographers Association. His central point is that the photographers acted properly.
He made similar points about the church, which overlooks the rear of the prison, offering a legal way to photograph the prison's grounds; that the photographers were tasked by newspapers (and therefore not amateur paps); and that they were not told to go away by prison staff (as I was originally informed by a friend of Vicky Price's family).He made similar points about the church, which overlooks the rear of the prison, offering a legal way to photograph the prison's grounds; that the photographers were tasked by newspapers (and therefore not amateur paps); and that they were not told to go away by prison staff (as I was originally informed by a friend of Vicky Price's family).
He moves on to discuss the public interest justification for taking the pictures, observing:He moves on to discuss the public interest justification for taking the pictures, observing:
"The consensus between those on the ground was that it was questionable whether Pryce was receiving preferential treatment - and as such was a valid news story. The majority of editors with access to the pictures agreed.""The consensus between those on the ground was that it was questionable whether Pryce was receiving preferential treatment - and as such was a valid news story. The majority of editors with access to the pictures agreed."
Well, that is a moot point about which he (and his colleagues) and I disagree. As I said in another posting on the topic, I am unsure whether it would breach the editors' code of conduct.Well, that is a moot point about which he (and his colleagues) and I disagree. As I said in another posting on the topic, I am unsure whether it would breach the editors' code of conduct.
We will not know whether it does unless Pryce or one of her family make a formal complaint. But my personal objection stands: I just don't like to see people hounded unnecessarily.We will not know whether it does unless Pryce or one of her family make a formal complaint. But my personal objection stands: I just don't like to see people hounded unnecessarily.
Two final points: 1. Eades was exercised, as were others, that I appeared to be avoiding criticism by turning off comments on my blog posts. In fact, the comments were turned off on advice from the legal department. And that same advice, for the same reason, means they cannot be turned on for this posting either.Two final points: 1. Eades was exercised, as were others, that I appeared to be avoiding criticism by turning off comments on my blog posts. In fact, the comments were turned off on advice from the legal department. And that same advice, for the same reason, means they cannot be turned on for this posting either.
2. Will photographers be dispatched to the open prison that Pryce's ex-husband, Chris Huhne, is eventually sent to? My answer: yes, precedent suggests they will be.2. Will photographers be dispatched to the open prison that Pryce's ex-husband, Chris Huhne, is eventually sent to? My answer: yes, precedent suggests they will be.
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