The following motion was passed unanimously at the 2012 NUJ Delegate Meeting in Newcastle.
This DM notes with alarm the increase use of Production Orders by police to seize photographs, footage and audio recordings made by professional journalists at public order events such as the student protests, the 2011 summer riots and the Dale Farm eviction.
DM believes that:
media workers must remain independent of police operations and the state, both for the integrity of their reporting and their personal safety.
-there is a clear difference between asking for specific images of specific criminal acts and these broad police ‘fishing trips’.
-simply using journalistic material to gather evidence for police databases is not acceptable.
This DM applauds the work of the NUJ in supporting individual members who legally challenge these excessive production orders.
DM instructs the NEC to continue working with other media organisations and civil liberties groups to defend the principles outlined in the NUJ code of conduct regarding protection of sources and materials.
Related Articles
Why I’m Resisting the Dale Farm Production Order
NUJ Appeals Dale Farm Production Order
Broadcasters Granted Judicial Review
Defending Journalism – Parliamentary Discussion
Defending Journalism – Judicial Review