Reporters Left Out of Canadian PM Photo Op, Told Phones Aren’t Cameras
Should smartphone cameras be considered “real cameras” when used by journalists? It appears Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s staff members don’t think so. Despite having press credentials, a handful of reporters were denied entry to a photo op between Harper and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley yesterday because they only had smartphones and not non-phone cameras.
Despite getting credentials, eight print reporters told they can't take photos of PM Harper and Notley because iPhones don't count.
— Justin Giovannetti (@justinCgio) July 6, 2015
Waited for a half hour before being told by PMO staff that earlier instructions phones are considered a tool of journalism was reversed.
— Justin Giovannetti (@justinCgio) July 6, 2015
660News journalist Kaitlin Lee was another:
Denied entry into @pmharper 's photo op in #yyc because my phone doesn't count as a camera. #ohwell
— Kaitlin Lee (@Kaitlin_Lee) July 6, 2015
Lauren Krugel of the The Canadian Press was a third:
At Harper-Notley photo op: camera – cameras allowed. Notebooks and phones verboten.
— Lauren Krugel (@LaurenKrugel) July 6, 2015
It's not like they made us leave phones/notebooks behind (mine were in my purse) but those without non-phone cameras weren't allowed.
— Lauren Krugel (@LaurenKrugel) July 6, 2015
Certain venues or events sometimes prohibit “professional” cameras and telephoto lenses while allowing people to use smartphone cameras, so it’s interesting to see a ban going in the opposite direction.
Image credits: Header illustration based on photo by Heather
