From HerRoyalWhyness:
Recall a couple of weeks ago the video demonstrating UK police appearing to retreat from hostile Islamic hoards?UK: Taking Photos of Police Officers Could be Considered a Crime
Set to become law on 16 February, the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 amends the Terrorism Act 2000 regarding offences relating to information about members of armed forces, a member of the intelligence services, or a police officer.
The new set of rules, under section 76 of the 2008 Act and section 58A of the 2000 Act, will target anyone who ‘elicits or attempts to elicit information about [members of armed forces] … which is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism’.
A person found guilty of this offence could be liable to imprisonment for up to 10 years, and to a fine.
The law is expected to increase the anti-terrorism powers used today by police officers to stop photographers, including press photographers, from taking pictures in public places. ‘Who is to say that police officers won’t abuse these powers,’ asks freelance photographer Justin Tallis, who was threatened by an officer last week. […]
4 comments:
This is what they are doing in France, too. And they will prosecute anyone who posts video from cellphones and cameras to the internet. It is damage control, plain and simple. If the people don't know that they aren't being protected, and the people they are paying to protect them should be called to account, well, some bureaucrat somewhere might not be happy with a pay cut, if you know what I mean. This has nothing to do with security and everything to do with covering one's backside.
Well put, Jewel.
the enlightenment advances such as the Magna, Carta, U.S. constitution, bill of rights in America and other documents were wise (I'm American so I profess ignorance about British equivalencies), but also I am aware of the paradoxical nature of their legalities as were the American founding fathers. this suspension of free expression is a very bad way to counter terrorism, and it is mostly a reactionary measure to attempt PR with Islamic culture and it's violence. The whole story in this will come out quickly.
Well put, Noah. Honestly, I don't think these videos will stop making the rounds. A brit could film an event and send it to me, an American, and I will post it.
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