Journalism student faces charges for photographing break-in

[truthpusher]

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/state/10880217.htm?1c

Posted on Fri, Feb. 11, 2005

Journalism student faces charges for photographing break-in

TERENCE CHEA

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - Omar Vega, a freshman at San Francisco State University, claims he was acting as a journalist when he photographed fellow students breaking into a car last fall.

(snip)

"Omar Vega was doing exactly what a photojournalist should do. He was taking his camera and he was recording the world around him," said Ken Kobre, a SFSU photojournalism professor. "The job of a photojournalist is not to stop history, but to record history."

(snip)

"My intention throughout the semester was that everything was for the project," said Vega, who received a scholarship to study photojournalism at San Francisco State . "I didn't touch the vehicle. I didn't enter the vehicle."

Vega said campus housing officials have been trying to stop him from taking photos and were angry that he photographed students engaged in binge drinking and oral sex. He was evicted from the dormitory in December for his alleged involvement in the break-in.

(snip)

"Your duty as a citizen and your desire as a journalist come into conflict there," McBride said. "Many journalists set threshold at life and limb. If someone is going to get hurt or killed, then you're definitely obligated to intervene. I know a lot of journalists would not intervene if it was just a property crime."

more:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/state/10880217.htm?1c

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. This is BS harrassment, plain and simple

The school is not happy with him exposing real life at their school, so they are smearing him.

[RC]

2. That is my take on this.

I've had problems with some of my pictures also. Don't muck with the boss's side squeeze.

[LinuxInsurgent]

3. i don't get what he did wrong...

it's not his car...and frankly...i'm not gonna intervene in a car theft, so the thieves come after me!

I'd rather photograph them well, write down the car's license plate number...and call the police to do it.

This student did nothing wrong.

[LisaL]

4. One would think they would be happy-that would help to solve the

crime. So, what exactly is there problem? Unless they want to pretend their campus is crime free.

[Trillo]

5. I don't get it....

I'm highly confused by the last paragraph, especially the last sentence of McBride's, "I know a lot of journalists would not intervene if it was just a property crime."

So if a journalist witnesses a property crime, they refuse to intervene by refusing to write about it or publish their photos?

[UL_Approved]

6. That university probably condones or even supports the behaviour

This is an indication that the problem in question is supported by university officials. I wouldn't be surprised if this comes from a desire to keep spoiled rich kids from getting into trouble and pulling out from the university.

[6th Borough]

7. Exactly how does one intervene in oral sex?

A messy proposition, I suppose.

[truthisfreedom]

8. you must speak out!

be oral yourself! 8^)