Author Topic: NPAC's stance on the Arrest of David Ritchie  (Read 1446 times)

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Offline Ali Ledgerwood

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  • Vancouver
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NPAC's stance on the Arrest of David Ritchie
« on: May 18, 2017, 05:16 PM »
For Immediate Release
May 18, 2017

Vancouver, B.C. – The News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC) is
gravely concerned about the arrest of Hamilton area freelance photojournalist
David Ritchie on Tuesday night at the scene of a crime, echoing yesterday’s
statement from the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE).

On May 16, 2017 at approximately 7 PM local time, freelance photojournalist
David Ritchie and Global News photojournalist Jeremy Cohn were arrested by
Hamilton Police Services at Evans Rd. and Highway 5, where a 10-year-old girl
died after being struck by a car. Ritchie is facing a charge for obstructing police.
Ritchie is a freelance photojournalist who is well known throughout the Hamilton
area. He has stated that he was respecting the standard crime scene protocol for
media by waiting behind the perimeter that had been put up by law enforcement
officials.

NPAC is deeply concerned that this type of police aggression is an infringement
of the freedom of the press and believes that a free and independent press that
holds public authorities accountable is the foundation for rights and freedoms of
all Canadians.

-30-

Media Contact:
Laura Ballance
604-771-5176
laura@lbmg.ca



Offline Ken Gigliotti

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Re: NPAC's stance on the Arrest of David Ritchie
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2017, 02:59 PM »
The arrest of photographers lawfully doing their work has occurred before. Freedom of the press , literally means the press, but when photographers are involved charges are usually dropped when every one cools down. Photographers are usually treated differently. There is a reluctance to create a legal precedent that extends “press” to photographers. It is rare that a charge against a news photographer ever goes to court. I do not know if the right words or actions occurred to trigger an obstruction charge , usually these emotional incidents are reexamined in time and are found unwarranted for court action. Photographers as members of the press ,what a great idea to test in court. Will it ever happen?