Hasta La Ideas

After a year of some fairly high profile stories across the world of photographers’ rights being violated by overzealous or ill-informed government employees, the New York Civil Liberties Union scored a major win this week in federal court when a federal judge in New York declared that there are no laws or regulations in place to prevent anyone from taking photos outside of not just federal courthouses (which derives from a case that launched the NYCLU’s fight to protect people’s rights), but all federal buildings. Furthermore, the judge ordered that instructions be issued to officers stationed at federal buildings that photography or filming of their buildings is not to be persecuted. For further reading on the statement and the case that launched it, the NY Times‘ photography blog, Lens, has a great recap. Here’s a bit from the NYCLU on their win:

“This settlement secures the public’s First Amendment right to use cameras in public spaces without being harassed,” NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said. “While we understand the need for heightened security near federal buildings, any rule that results in the arrest of people for exercising their First Amendment rights is clearly unconstitutional. We’re pleased the federal government finally recognizes this fact.”

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.