woensdag, december 01, 2004
New York one step closer to banning photography in subways
Despite opposition from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, commuters, transit advocates and civil libertarians, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Tuesday it is one step closer to banning photography in the subway system.
The ban would apply to still photography, filming, and videotaping in the subways. Violators would face fines of $25.
"We thought that the MTA had actually ditched the idea of a blanket ban, and was looking to a more appropriately tailored restriction on photography," said Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union.
It turns out she was wrong. Last week, New York City Transit quietly published the proposed rule change in the New York State Register. It called for a total ban on photography and videotaping. Only media and those with written authorization would be exempt.
According to the notice, "It was felt that a less restrictive approach would not yield the necessary security enhancements."
MTA officials say the ban is intended to deter terrorists from conducting surveillance inside the mass transit system. But critics, like the New York Civil Liberties Union, say the ban is unenforceable given the proliferation of cell phone cameras. And they call it an affront to public freedom more suited to a totalitarian state.
"How is a ban on photography in the subways gonna make us any safer? Maybe this is about revenue," said Lieberman "It's certainly gonna jack up the fines that the city collects."
Bron: NY1.com.
Bekijk ook het nieuwsitem op NY1 News.
The ban would apply to still photography, filming, and videotaping in the subways. Violators would face fines of $25.
"We thought that the MTA had actually ditched the idea of a blanket ban, and was looking to a more appropriately tailored restriction on photography," said Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union.
It turns out she was wrong. Last week, New York City Transit quietly published the proposed rule change in the New York State Register. It called for a total ban on photography and videotaping. Only media and those with written authorization would be exempt.
According to the notice, "It was felt that a less restrictive approach would not yield the necessary security enhancements."
MTA officials say the ban is intended to deter terrorists from conducting surveillance inside the mass transit system. But critics, like the New York Civil Liberties Union, say the ban is unenforceable given the proliferation of cell phone cameras. And they call it an affront to public freedom more suited to a totalitarian state.
"How is a ban on photography in the subways gonna make us any safer? Maybe this is about revenue," said Lieberman "It's certainly gonna jack up the fines that the city collects."
Bron: NY1.com.
Bekijk ook het nieuwsitem op NY1 News.
# posted by Jan-Edward : 09:24
|
|