This Actually Happened: Ferguson Police Arrest Getty Photographer
Getty Images has confirmed that one of its photographers, Scott Olson, was arrested on Monday in Ferguson, Missouri. Journalist Amy K. Nelson posted a video in which Olson said he was arrested because police “said the media is required to be in a certain area.”
Clearly there is something disturbing in Ferguson and it’s not the protesters. Freedom of the press is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution – unless you’re in the city of Ferguson.
Image tweeted by Ryan J. Reilly:
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The Guardian reports that Pancho Bernasconi, vice-president for news at Getty Images, said: “Getty Images staff photographer Scott Olson was arrested this afternoon in Ferguson, Missouri, while on assignment documenting the events there. We at Getty Images stand firmly behind our colleague Scott Olson and the right to report from Ferguson. Getty Images is working to secure his release as soon as possible.
“We strongly object to his arrest and are committed to ensuring he is able to resume his important work of capturing some of the most iconic images of this news story.”
Olson captured this – among other images – amazing photo of the protest:
Scott Olson just released. He said “I want to be able to do my job as a member of the media and not be arrested for just doing my job”
— Pancho Bernasconi (@DailyLuca) August 19, 2014
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burqa August 18th, 2014 at 11:11 pm
I think the charges will be dropped, the Ferguson po-lice will undergo a training session on the First Amendment, and then Olson and Getty will have the choice of whether to sue.
labman57 August 18th, 2014 at 11:41 pm
With respect to the Ferguson police department’s heavy-handed interactions with the news media, it seems that they regard the protections provided by the U.S. Constitution as — to quote a line from a famous movie — “mere guidelines”.
granpa.usthai August 19th, 2014 at 1:35 am
strange, but I don’t recall any news people being arrested for taking pictures of the FAILED white racist terrorist uprising in Nevada?
fancypants August 19th, 2014 at 2:44 am
anything is possible when your in tea party central
Shades August 19th, 2014 at 8:51 am
I’d feel a lot safer if my police department could pass a high school civics exam.
Budda August 19th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
I know I’ll get some comments on this but here goes:
Does the press have extra rights and privileges that regular citizens don’t have?