25 signatures reached
To: Northern Rail
Tell Northern Rail they can't Silence the Press
Dear Northern Rail
Please retract your statement that employees of Northern Rail cannot be filmed under any circumstances without prior permission.
When the filming reveals brutality against a member of the public by the police, journalists and members of the public have every right to film it.
Please issue a new statement, apologising for your previous statement, and recognising that you do not have the right to silence the press and public in this way.
Yours faithfully
Murray Cowell
Why is this important?
On Monday 23rd June, a peaceful protest by members of Sheffield Disabled People Against The Cuts and Barnsley Retirees Action Group was broken up by British Transport police.
The protesters were taking part in the Freedom Ride, a long-running protest against cuts to free travel provision in South Yorkshire.
Witnesses report that the police used heavy handed tactics. One witness, Jen Dunstan, of Sheffield Disabled People Against the Cuts, said: “Dozens of elderly and disabled people have been left with bruising. Some have cuts where their skin has broken from being pushed and shoved.
“A placid and calm gentleman was roughly manhandled. I am angry and shocked. The police are meant to protect elderly people.”
A journalist from the Sheffield Star was present, and tried to video events on his phone. He was ordered to erase footage he’d recorded on his phone because he did not have permission to film on private property inside Sheffield station. When he initially resisted the request and continued to film, he says he was told he could be arrested under terror laws.
A statement from Northern Rail said: “Members of the media must have written permission from the train operator which manages the station before undertaking any filming on station property. Under no circumstances are Northern Rail employees to be filmed without prior agreement from the Northern Rail press office.”
Fortunately, other witnesses were able to video the behaviour of the police on Northern Rail's property. The treatment of the elderly gentleman can be seen here:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svv9YcyZ6Os&list=UUiZU8ySSrpSg-qhR3BsYSSQ
Many people who view this video will think that this treatment is disproportionate for an old man accused of fare-dodging, especially when he is taking part in a legitimate peaceful protest.
In the video, five burly police officers are pinning the elderly gentleman down so that he cannot move, despite no visible signs of protest or resistance from him.
It is not within the rights of Northern Rail, or any other organisation, to try to ban filming on their premises, when that filming clearly shows a questionable activity taking place with the collusion of that organisation.
It is anti-democratic to try to silence the press in this way.
Please sign this petition to force Northern Rail to retract their statement, and issue an apology that recognises the right of journalists and the public to film wherever they wish when a breach of a person's rights is taking place.
