Is it me, or are we seeing martial law starting to taking shape in Canada? Two of the most irksome activities I see on the rise are:

(a) the selective disrespect and disregard of the laws of the land by those whom we trust to enforce the laws (ie the cops)

(b) the ill treatment of journalists in the field, especially photojournalists – the people who help tell us the story and keep our country free

Well, here we go again.. the folks at VPD (Vancouver Police Department) have done a good job in letting the public down by seizing a journalist’s camera at the scene of a police incident. This is after a previous incident in March where the Police are alleged to have seized a person’s camera and erased video – pertinent evidence relating to the incident that was recorded.

For those unclear on the concept, here’s the scoop: any citizen may photograph in a public place – Our Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarnatees this.

Fuddle duddle to anyone who thinks otherwise.

Here’s a recent release from the Canadian Association of Journalists:

For Immediate Release

CAJ condemns police seizure of Vancouver photographer’s camera

(OTTAWA)  April 8, 2009–Police had no right to seize a Vancouver Province photojournalist’s camera on the weekend, says the Canadian Association of Journalists.

Jason Payne had his camera confiscated April 5, after he photographed a Vancouver Police officer who had shot a suspect. Payne was threatened with arrest if he didn’t relinquish his equipment. Payne said he told police he worked for The Province but they persisted in threatening to arrest him. According to Wayne Moriarty, editor-in-chief of The Province, police officers ordered Payne to stop shooting and claimed his actions were “obstructing justice.”

“When police interfere with a journalist’s ability to do their job, it prevents them from informing the public, violating a fundamental right enshrined in the Canadian constitution,” said Mary Agnes Welch, president of the Canadian Association of Journalists. “Vancouver Police evidently need a refresher course in this important legal document.”

“The police’s later excuse, that they were unaware Jason was a member of the media, is as pathetic as it is misleading,” added Welch. “Any citizen may photograph in a public place.”

The CAJ, Canada’s largest professional organization for journalists from all media, and many of its 1,300 members from across Canada, will attend its National Conference in Vancouver, May 22-24. The CAJ’s primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy.

For Information:

Mary Agnes Welch, CAJ president (204) 697-7590, (204) 470-8862
John Dickins, CAJ executive director (613) 526-8061
En francais: Robert Frank, directeur, ACJ, (514) 248-1928

After hours cell (613) 868-5442

Thankfully for alot of people out there, there’s a new service available called Qik.com which lets you stream to the internet live from your cellphone. Check out some of the videos I’ve already taken, HERE.