Should smartphone cameras be considered �real cameras� when used by journalists? It appears Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper�s staff members don�t think so. Despite having press credentials, a handful of reporters were denied entry to a photo op between Harper and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley yesterday because they only had smartphones and not non-phone cameras.
Reporter Justin Giovannetti of the Globe and Mail was one:
Despite getting credentials, eight print reporters told they can’t take photos of PM Harper and Notley because iPhones don’t count.
� Justin Giovannetti (@justinCgio) July 6, 2015
Waited for a half hour before being told by PMO staff that earlier instructions phones are considered a tool of journalism was reversed.
� Justin Giovannetti (@justinCgio) July 6, 2015
660News journalist Kaitlin Lee was another:
Denied entry into @pmharper ‘s photo op in #yyc because my phone doesn’t count as a camera. #ohwell
� Kaitlin Lee (@Kaitlin_Lee) July 6, 2015
Lauren Krugel of the The Canadian Press was a third:
At Harper-Notley photo op: camera � cameras allowed. Notebooks and phones verboten.
� Lauren Krugel (@LaurenKrugel) July 6, 2015
It’s not like they made us leave phones/notebooks behind (mine were in my purse) but those without non-phone cameras weren’t allowed.
� Lauren Krugel (@LaurenKrugel) July 6, 2015
Certain venues or events sometimes prohibit �professional� cameras and telephoto lenses while allowing people to use smartphone cameras, so it�s interesting to see a ban going in the opposite direction.
Image credits: Header illustration based on photo by Heather
Started out doing photography at the age of 6 using an uncle's old 1940 kodak brownie box camera. At 15 years of age, I decided to buy my very own 1975 Praktica SLR camera. I now shoot with a Nikon D850. I do unpaid TFP and commercial paid work.