Did the Crew do Anything wrong?

[Diggin' Bear]

Check out the video link at the top of the page.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/34751579.html

I'm making NO accusations or casting aspersions. I'm asking if you would have handled it differently, and if so, how.

[Diggin' Bear]

Wow.

30 views of this thread so far, and NOBODY has a problem with how it was handled?

OK, I'll start:

Mistake number one: allowing the guy to approach so close on camera without issuing a warning or getting in front of him. Most people will not assault a reporter. The converse is not true when they see 'just a camera.'

Which leads to...

Mistake number two: not telling the guy that touching the camera/photographer is illegal or an assault. Those words have a chilling effect on someone on the attack.

Mistake number three: saying the guy 'owned the camera.'

Now, I realize it's a lot different when you're there and it happens, but there's a lesson for everyone in this video. It's this:

If you know you're going out on a shoot that might anger someone or might be controversial, you talk it out with both your desk and more importantly, your partner on the shoot. You MUST prepare for the possibility somebody might act out.

Second, you should have ground rules as to what to do if that happens. The military calls 'em 'rules of engagement.' Reporters are smart to devise them, too.

Third, you should have something prepared in you mind as to what to say on video if someone acts out. What you SAY might have an impact on a story and legally as much as the video itself. One of the best tools: the words 'sir, what you're doing is illegal. stop right now.' That's also why telling someone they 'own the camera' is dangerous on several fronts.

Thoughts from others?

[Head Janitor]

I agree with not saying "you own this camera." It doesn't make any sense.

As for warning a guy not to touch the camera, I don't agree.
Do you walk down the street and say to every person who passes you, "don't kill me! It's a crime!"? That would be jumping to conclusions and open you up to the same stuff as "you own this camera."

As for the incident itself, I would like to see the video of what happened right before.

[Brain Cramp]

I understand emotions can run high in the heat of the moment but with that said, I think both the reporter and the photog behaved unprofessionally. They were combative and challenging. They egged that guy on with their tone and "bring it on" response. They didn't try to difuse the situation. I agree that there should be a prepared statement that's said in situations like that and that even though the aggressor is acting like an a$$, the reporter and photographer don't have to stoop to that level of discourse.

[Spike]

They didn't try to difuse the situation.

Obviously you've never worked in the field with someone coming at you. How exactly do you think they should have "difused" the situation when the guy had his hand on the camera?

"Oh, please kind sir, unhand my camera. I promise I'll leave and never bother you again."

[Charlie Brown]

In the heat of the moment, is calmly explaining that striking a photographer is considered a felony going to make a difference? Absolutely not. In that situation, the guy saw the camera and it was like a bull seeing a matador's red cape.

The only chilling effect the assaulter would experience would be in the pokey later on that afternoon.

[Max Schumacher]

We had a photographer who was staking out the front of the Federal courthouse for the family of a cop caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Cop's father-in-law took umbrage at the gauntlet of photographers and he shoved our guy's camera into his face.
Another photographer caught the whole thing...our photographer, without missing a beat, comes up and coldcocks the old man...caught him clean on the jaw. He stayed on his feet but that was the give and take on THAT assignment.

As for the story in question, went to the originating station's website...the attacker is accused of damaging a(n) historic home. I wouldn't think the crew would have expected him to assault them unless he'd shown that propensity before.
As for "rules of engagement" I think that's just got to be an understanding of "I've got your back." We're not the military and we will never have contingencies for every situation.

[Sigonfile]

That's why I carry a 1,000,000 volt stun gun. Cheap, reliable, protection for $40 on eBay. Your Company will appreciate how you protect their property.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-000-000-Volts-Stun-Gun-Worlds-Most-Powerfull-Guns_W0QQitemZ190267707653QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item190267707653&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

[that's life]

"Get off my camera!"

It paints a wrong picture. Was the man groping the camera? Was he attempting to take it? Turn it off? I'm still unsure of what the point of the whole fiasco was.

[2:30]

The crew did nothing wrong.

Could the shooter have been more articulate? Maybe. But in the heat of the moment, it's hard to fault him.

[Marty McFly]

The crew did nothing wrong.

Could the shooter have been more articulate? Maybe. But in the heat of the moment, it's hard to fault him.

DAMN RIGHT.
The President of the Hair Club for Men should have had the camera stuffed squarely up his ass. The crew handled it better than I would have.

[Roy Hobbs]

1. The website had a star on the station logo. Cliche

2. Trucks do not drive around with trailer-sized batteries behind them

3. The image of a child accidently dropping a toy truck on the family pride is not only disturbing but indicative of poor care and oversight at UCLA Children's Hospital

4. The renovator walks like he has something up his rear...a lightbulb, architect's t-square or a gerbil are likely suspects

5. "Get off my camera" is an ineffectual line at best. Much better would be:
http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Original_Photo/2008/04/22/1208887058_8007.jpg

"GET OFF MY PLANE!!"

[News Is Broken]

I'd have gone down faster than a NBA player who's jersey was brushed with a gust of wind, then follow that up by grabbing my neck and screaming while my reporter screamed "Get an ambulance! Get an ambulance!"

Then we'd split the 6 figure settlement. :cheers:

[tvchick5]

Video removed so I can't see it.

[Marty McFly]

Welcome to the party. It's been over for more than a week.