Terrorist Photographers
Apparently Jordan is not the only country where security are bullying photographers. According to the BBC, England has it’s fair share of crackdowns against innocents.
You can read the article yourself, but I especially like the following bit:
“There’s a great deal of paranoia around but the police are on alert for anything that vaguely resembles terrorism. It’s difficult because the more professional a photographer, paradoxically, the more likely they are to be stopped or questioned.
“If people were using photos for terrorism purposes they would be using the smallest camera possible.”
Exactly!
Jad April 17th, 2008 9:36 pm
The officer was asking for Licence for the camera? wow it seems police officers in all over the world share the same level of ignorant
Joseph April 18th, 2008 11:55 pm
I have a huge telephoto lens and I was stopped in the Jordanian airport entering and leaving Jordan last Christmas. I was also stopped near my friend’s house and was forced to leave my camera in the car!! I agree my lens may seem suspicious but as you say, if I were to take pictures for terrorism proposes I would have used a compact camera. But hey it’s the same with airport security mostly checking people in traditional clothing. I guess they’re unfamiliar with stealth.