Freelance media workers covering the G20 protests in London have been thrown a legal lifeline if they are unlucky enough to be arrested or assaulted during the marches.
Reporters who get into trouble while covering the demonstrations can talk to a solicitor, thanks to an emergency service from the National Union of Journalists.
Although only open to its members, the hotline will offer legal aid to a range of media freelancers, including reporters, photographers and videographers, the NUJ said.
Leaflets with the numbers to call were given out yesterday across the capital’s main protest sites, where union officials were watching how the police treated the media.
They added photographers in particular have faced “heavy-handed policing” in recent months, prompting many to begin carrying a card spelling out their rights in public.
The NUJ ‘s legal hotline is only offered to its members at the G20 protests in a professional capacity, and is not meant for those attending as private citizens.
“Previous summits have proved that members might have a need for advice and representation by solicitors specialising in criminal law,” said John Toner, the NUJ’s freelance organiser
Unveiling the service yesterday, he said that while the “legal back-up” was now available, until April 2, the union was hoping “no one will have to make use of it.”
The numbers to call are 020 7843 3721 until 5.30 pm and 07710 314593 thereafter.
Image courtesy of Spiraltri3e
Apr 2, 2009
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