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Police protection or citizen censorship? Spain to ban photos and videos of cops

published by Tom Sullivan on Sun, 2012-10-21 10:18

Spain’s government is drafting a law that bans the photographing and filming of members of the police. The Interior Ministry assures they are not cracking down on freedom of expression, but protecting the lives of law enforcement officers.

The draft legislation follows waves of protests throughout the country against uncompromising austerity cuts to public healthcare and education.

The new Citizen Safety Law will prohibit “the capture, reproduction and editing of images, sounds or information of members of the security or armed forces in the line of duty,” said the director general of the police, Ignacio Cosido. He added that this new bill seeks to “find a balance between the protection of citizens’ rights and those of security forces.”

The dissemination of images and videos over social networks like Facebook will also be punishable under the legislation.

Source and full story: Russia Today, 19 October 2012

Tags: 
SPAIN
POLICE STATE
CENSORSHIP
COWARDICE

Comments

Submitted by Heydrich on Sun, 2012-10-21 13:47.

So whenever the police brutalize protesters, no one will be able to show proof. If anyone tries to present evidence in court, it will not only be inadmissible; it will bring additional charges. Nor will the media be able to show any images of protests.

The Interior Ministry maintains it will not encroach on freedom of expression.

True. The police are free to express all the violence they like.

This new law will make the protests more vigorous. Rumors will fly about police brutality, with no video evidence to moderate them.

This must all be very amusing to the bankers and politicians.

Submitted by Tom Sullivan on Sun, 2012-10-21 23:16.

So whenever the police brutalize protesters, no one will be able to show proof. If anyone tries to present evidence in court, it will not only be inadmissible; it will bring additional charges. Nor will the media be able to show any images of protests.

That may well be the case, but I doubt if such legislation will stop covert photography and videography. Material like that can always find its way out of Spain to be published onto the internet from a country where Spain's increasingly totalitarian laws don't apply.

Submitted by Heydrich on Mon, 2012-10-22 07:19.

Material like that can always find its way out of Spain to be published onto the internet from a country where Spain's increasingly totalitarian laws don't apply.

Videos will be inadmissible in Spanish courts. Do you think that posting videos on a foreign-owned web site (YouTube) will stop police brutality inside Spain?

Please explain.

Submitted by Tom Sullivan on Mon, 2012-10-22 08:06.

That's not what I said! The purpose of this law is not to prevent videos and photos from being used as evidence in court. The purpose of this law is to ensure police brutality doesn't get any exposure. Exposure is what lessens police brutality, not court action.

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