Press photographers banned from pride because of last year’s Get The L Out protest

So, basically, they are saying that professional press photographers with union accreditation cannot report on a event held in public space?

This is bullshit.

It's also a political matter because they will have got clearance to hold the event from the local council because it is public space. The council cannot give a licence for a group to hold an event on public streets, and then accept that the press cannot report on it. It breaches the principle of transparency. The public pays for that space; they have a right to know what happens on it.

Ironically even Peter Tatchell is condemning this...

In a democracy, the light of press scrutiny is important and we should be suspicious of those who try to prevent the actions of a free Press. Such behaviour should make us all ask ourselves what they are trying to hide and lead to doubled scrutiny.

I think there are more and more questions being raised about the idea of Pride as a corporate event, where they somehow control public spaces, and this is another step toward people asking those questions.

BickerinBrattie I agree, maybe a few are having some qualms that pushing the ‘be inclusive and tolerant’ envelope to include public displays of sexual fetishism might not be such a great look for a so-called family friendly event.

Optimistically, might this be a massive own goal?

Pride have now pissed off all the journalists in the country who were paying attention.

And I imagine that some of those journalists might be interested in talking to the source of the "incursion"; the people that Pride doesn't want anyone to see or talk to.

Get the L out should have their own mini-protest elsewhere from Pride and invite all the press to turn up and photograph that.

They can't stop people taking photos though so realistically what is the point of this edict

Xposts you were more succinct!

I wonder if Pride's corporate sponsors might support a block on any images that are not approved in light of the recent disturbing puppy play photographs from a Pride event?

It might be easier for corporate sponsors to insist on policing images rather than policing content of Pride or even expressing concern about it (so to speak).

They may also be worried about pics like the furries / puppies /other fetishes and interactions with children as per the puppy tent thing at. ?Nottingham.

General public on the whole haven't got on board with the no kink shaking thing and esp not with the what's the harm in involving kids it's just a bit of dressing up thing.

I suspect they also don’t want more pup-type photos hitting the Daily Mail.

Just another version of no platforming women.

Happy-clappy ffs autocorrect.

That is because they know that once people become aware about why lesbians are protesting they know the game is up.

The general public knows that lesbians don't have penises and what homosexuality is.
Pride organisers have to push the narrative that somehow lesbians are the ones in the wrong with their "lesbian=female homosexual" banners - they have to stop the public/general press seeing the banners or there will be some uncomfortable questions raised.

Hmm, security reasons? Yeah, the smell of bullshit is very strong right there. What they mean is they want nothing out there that might contradict the appearance of ‘we’re all one big happy-flappy skippy rainbow-coloured family’.
There’s no explanation of how official press photographers compromise security or are somehow responsible for the ‘incursions’.

And the NUJ’s statement? What the fuck was that? They’re disappointed?! Well, I’m beyond disappointed with such a meek response to such a blatant attempt to curtail press freedoms - they should be raging and pushing back in the strongest possible terms.

So press photography banned on London’s streets

How does that work then
Does pride London own London streets and tell the press what they can do and what they can cover

Silence the media ?

Even though we keep hearing the protesters represent only a tiny number of people, this suggests they have rattled pride, who don't believe their own propaganda.

I hope if there is another protest they take their own photos and release them to the press.

Gotta protect that corporate image eh?