Media act((i))vism
Antirep leaflet dealing with photo- an film material on demonstrations and behavior on a possible arrest
Media activism - some reflections
For us to film, to take pictures, to make an interview on a demonstration or during an action is a kind of action like spraying, speaking with megaphone or carrying the reinforced front banner. You’re a part of the demo/action and therefore also responsible for it. Because of that, and especially because your recorded material can be useful for the police, you’re an interesting person for them.
On recent demos, the experience was made that people with cameras were specificly catched by the police or material was confiscated (also after the actions e.g. at home). That material can be used as evidence by the judicial authority.
As a photographer/filmer you’re responsible for your recorded material and its handling ! You’re a part of a collective action. You might think about the kind of publishing in advance : Info evenings, discussions or solidarity parties are not that bad... Our actions should be varied and part of the protest against the G8 in Evian. It’s not the idea of media activism that anyone sets up its own privat photo album.
Practical info
Always act toghether with a group of people you know, never alone. Like when you do graffities, it’s important to organize people protecting you of police attacks.
Think about how to get to an action and how to get home again before.
Also think about what kind of action you want to take pictures of. To take pictures or to film actions, especially illegal ones, is always a serious thing, and means (also unconsciously) a risk for others.
Are you asking the people your filming for their agreement ?
Anonymity
At almost every places in switzerland it’s forbidden to cover your face at demonstrations ; i.e. you can’t argue "if you don’t want to be recognised, just cover your face". There are a lot of reasons (repression, fascists ...) to do so. But this doesn’t mean at all that uncovered faces want to appear as "polit models". To tell about political content, there’s no need to show faces.
It makes sense, to publish your stuff on the web, so it’s open to a lot of people. But take your time it needs to make faces unrecognizable. Especially the eyes should be crossed with a bold black stripe , because the police often measures the distance between the eyes, while they analyse pictures. To make faces anonymous is a part of cutting. Have a look for technical support to do so - visit your local indymedia center (IMC).
Additional advice
Handling with filming or taking pictures :
– change your tape/chip card regularly (record different action on different tapes)
– organise a "delivery service" that is taking your material to save places where it can be eddited at once.
– probably there will be a possibility to save pictures encrypted on PCs at IMCs.
Behavior on arrest
– try to protect you with your presscard (theoratically journalists can’t be forced to deliver their material. But the experience has shown the opposite. There’s a possibility to make your own indymedia presscard at the IMC.)
– if it is obvious that the police wants your recorded stuff, try to destroy or get rid of it before they get it.
– always demand a receipt for your confiscated material. It is quite possible that your stuff "unfortunately got lost" when you ask for it later. But at least you have an evidence.
– if you’re arrested, demand that they seal the confiscated tapes immediately. They will (should) put the stuff in a sealed box or bag. Also ask for a receipt and the name of the officer. Because of the sealing they can’t use it unless you’re charged with something. If there’ll be a trial against you, the cops have to tell you that they want to examine it, then you can object to it.
– as usual, it’s your right to refuse any statment, make use of it ! You just have to tell your name and your official adress, of course they might try to tell you something else... don’t start any chat. For further information, check out the antirep leaflet.
– after getting catched or arrested, it is useful to make a memory aid paper at once (in the first quiet moments). Describe also the look of the officers you had to deal with, because these things don’t remain genuine in your memory.
Last but not least
Have you ever thought about where you get observed by surveillance cameras in the streets, who or what they are protecting and by whom those pictures are analysed ? Also a surceillance camera doesn’t work forever...
ENGLISH
other languages :
http://www.indymedia.ch/de/2003/05/9555.shtml
Media act((i))vism
Antirep leaflet dealing with photo- an film material on demonstrations and behavior on a possible arrest
Media activism - some reflections
For us to film, to take pictures, to make an interview on a demonstration or during an action is a kind of action like spraying, speaking with megaphone or carrying the reinforced front banner. You’re a part of the demo/action and therefore also responsible for it. Because of that, and especially because your recorded material can be useful for the police, you’re an interesting person for them.
On recent demos, the experience was made that people with cameras were specificly catched by the police or material was confiscated (also after the actions e.g. at home). That material can be used as evidence by the judicial authority.
As a photographer/filmer you’re responsible for your recorded material and its handling ! You’re a part of a collective action. You might think about the kind of publishing in advance : Info evenings, discussions or solidarity parties are not that bad... Our actions should be varied and part of the protest against the G8 in Evian. It’s not the idea of media activism that anyone sets up its own privat photo album.
Practical info
Always act toghether with a group of people you know, never alone. Like when you do graffities, it’s important to organize people protecting you of police attacks.
Think about how to get to an action and how to get home again before.
Also think about what kind of action you want to take pictures of. To take pictures or to film actions, especially illegal ones, is always a serious thing, and means (also unconsciously) a risk for others.
Are you asking the people your filming for their agreement ?
Anonymity
At almost every places in switzerland it’s forbidden to cover your face at demonstrations ; i.e. you can’t argue "if you don’t want to be recognised, just cover your face". There are a lot of reasons (repression, fascists ...) to do so. But this doesn’t mean at all that uncovered faces want to appear as "polit models". To tell about political content, there’s no need to show faces.
It makes sense, to publish your stuff on the web, so it’s open to a lot of people. But take your time it needs to make faces unrecognizable. Especially the eyes should be crossed with a bold black stripe , because the police often measures the distance between the eyes, while they analyse pictures. To make faces anonymous is a part of cutting. Have a look for technical support to do so - visit your local indymedia center (IMC).
Additional advice
Handling with filming or taking pictures :
– change your tape/chip card regularly (record different action on different tapes)
– organise a "delivery service" that is taking your material to save places where it can be eddited at once.
– probably there will be a possibility to save pictures encrypted on PCs at IMCs.
Behavior on arrest
– try to protect you with your presscard (theoratically journalists can’t be forced to deliver their material. But the experience has shown the opposite. There’s a possibility to make your own indymedia presscard at the IMC.)
– if it is obvious that the police wants your recorded stuff, try to destroy or get rid of it before they get it.
– always demand a receipt for your confiscated material. It is quite possible that your stuff "unfortunately got lost" when you ask for it later. But at least you have an evidence.
– if you’re arrested, demand that they seal the confiscated tapes immediately. They will (should) put the stuff in a sealed box or bag. Also ask for a receipt and the name of the officer. Because of the sealing they can’t use it unless you’re charged with something. If there’ll be a trial against you, the cops have to tell you that they want to examine it, then you can object to it.
– as usual, it’s your right to refuse any statment, make use of it ! You just have to tell your name and your official adress, of course they might try to tell you something else... don’t start any chat. For further information, check out the antirep leaflet.
– after getting catched or arrested, it is useful to make a memory aid paper at once (in the first quiet moments). Describe also the look of the officers you had to deal with, because these things don’t remain genuine in your memory.
Last but not least
Have you ever thought about where you get observed by surveillance cameras in the streets, who or what they are protecting and by whom those pictures are analysed ? Also a surceillance camera doesn’t work forever...
arm your desire ! reclaim your media !