Journalists and Met Police engage


A delegation of journalists and photographers from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) last month met with the Metropolitan Police to improve how journalists can better interact at public order events.


During a visit to the Met’s specialist training centre in Gravesend, Kent, NUJ members were assured that all officers receive written direction about working with journalists, recognising the important role of professional newsgatherers and action to ensure reporting is permitted. 


The union said it “welcomed engagement” on the issue. And NUJ senior organiser David Ayrton described the event as “a useful opportunity to better understand the Met’s operations”. 


He added: “It is also a reassurance to know that even when facing volleys of petrol bombs, the need to facilitate the media’s important role is not too far from their minds.”


Photographer Hazel Dunlop said she’d been in some “challenging public order situations and have mixed experiences of how the Police deal with the media. Watching these simulations made me realise just how terrifying these situations must be for the Police.


“It is reassuring too to know that the chances of my press card being recognised and respected should be a bit better in light of the reassurances given to us by police officers of the Met.”