http://www.youtube.com/v/ID_di8JO5pI?fs=1&hl=en_GB&hd=1

The call to action from the TUC in Manchester this week brings to mind campaigns against public spending cuts imposed by previous governments, and the part that photography has played in them.

Perhaps the most memorable image of the ‘Winter of Discontent’, which immediately preceded the election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979, was of rats scurrying over piles of uncollected refuse sacks in Leicester Square. In that and subsequent disputes, those parts of the press more sympathetic to the trade union point of view, particularly the papers produced by the unions themselves, built solidarity with photographs of countrywide protest actions, and of workers in their workplaces.

Just two weeks since they clarified their position on the law regarding photography, the Association of Chief Police Officers last night issued a short note further clarifying its clarification.

This follows the recent exposure by The Register of a widening gulf between ACPO and local police forces over the question of when it is permissible to seize film or cameras as part of a criminal investigation.

The issue arose as we reported on an incident over the bank holiday weekend in Brighton. Sussex Police seized film from a photographer attending an anti-fascist protest as potential evidence of a violent crime.

By John Donovan

Printed below is probably the most impactful article every written about Shell. It was published by the Guardian newspaper on November 15, 1997. Click here to view the original article with extraordinarily dramatic graphics

For a century, Shell has explored the Earth to make our lives more comfortable. But in its wake, says Andrew Rowell, lies corruption, despoliation and death

By John Donovan

Printed below is probably the most impactful article every written about Shell. It was published by the Guardian newspaper on November 15, 1997. Click here to view the original article with extraordinarily dramatic graphics

For a century, Shell has explored the Earth to make our lives more comfortable. But in its wake, says Andrew Rowell, lies corruption, despoliation and death

JadedSnapper is at a photocall, waiting for the ‘action’ to begin.

JadedSnapper: Hi guys

RedTopSnapper: [pointing to JS] Who’s this joker?

SilentSnapper: [shrugs shoulders]

RedTopSnapper: I’ve never seen him before – look at the kit – he must be a joker

SilentSnapper: [nods in agreement]

JS: Hey guys!…OI! I am here you know!

As I write this more than a hundred activists are winding their way through Edinburgh to a temporary camp set up next to the headquarters of RBS. It is of course, this year’s Camp for Climate Action, aka Climate Camp, who are targeting the taxpayer-owned bank for their funding of tar sands extraction in Canada. Up to a thousand activists are eventually expected to join the camp which will likely act as a springboard for other affinity group demonstrations and actions. I’d be there myself if I wasn’t brassic at the moment.

Johannesburg – A body representing major media houses in the United States has sent a letter to President Jacob Zuma urging him to shelve legislative proposals that would “severely restrict” South African media.