Sun 18 Oct – Freedom to film: reclaiming our public spaces
As many of us know, there are a number of legal restrictions on filming in public spaces, shopping centres and even parks .
But Hackney charity Worldwrite say that security guards, community safety wardens and similar folk are refusing their young volunteer film crews ‘permission to film’ on streets where they are actually entitled to do so.
Whilst the rationale for prohibition is often on the grounds of ‘privacy’ and ‘security’, Worldwrite say that there is in fact no law against filming or taking photographs in public places.
The charity says that most restrictions are based on contemporary anxieties and prejudices, rather than the law itself.
It suggests that at the centre of the reduction of activities allowed in the public sphere is a suspicion of the citizen film-maker or photographer, who may regularly be seen as a predatory or threatening figure. Filming, news-gathering and photography by citizen journalists has a long and important history and freedom. Continuing this tradition is vital to our democracy.
On Sunday 18 October, the charity aims to highlight these ‘film-free zones’ by making a programme about the right to film.
Worldwrite is encouraging all film-makers, photographers and everyone to join them on the day.
They are inviting people to use come along and bring cameras, mobile phones and similar, to promote the right to view, record and question the world around us.
Where and when
Worldwrite will be filming at the following locations and times on Sunday 18 October:
At 10.30am in Mandeville Square, Clapton, London E5
At 12.00pm on Ridley Road Market, Dalston, London E8
At 1.30pm outside Hackney Town Hall on Mare Street, London E8
They will be filming their film-makers, interviewing members of the public and recording any attempts to prevent them doing so.
The aim is to make a stand for the freedom to film and a programme re-establishing the right to film in East London without harassment.
Worldwrite says that people cannot be arrested for filming for a news programme in a public place, and that cameras and footage cannot be taken away without a court order.
More about WORLDwrite.
020 8985 5435
world.write@btconnect.com
Registered charity no. 1060869