The United Kingdom’s Wire Photo Association (WPA), representing national and international news agencies, has voiced significant concerns over No. 10 Downing Street’s restrictive policies on news photography involving the Prime Minister and other senior officials. According to the WPA, these policies are severely limiting photographic access for independent journalists, a development that could affect the quality and diversity of news images available to the public.
In a statement released to news photo chiefs and industry colleagues, the WPA outlined instances where independent photographers were denied access to photograph key government events and figures. Instead, photography has been increasingly controlled by the government’s own preferred means of distributing and publishing its own photographers’ images.
The WPA’s grievances include denied access to events under justifications such as security concerns or spatial limitations, circumstances under which government PR photographers were nevertheless present. Notable examples include restricted access at a bus depot visit in Harrogate, a visit to Silverlake Stadium, and a field in Haxby for a new railway announcement, among others. Even more concerning for the association was the denial of access to photograph Ukraine’s First Lady meeting with the Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street, an event subsequently documented by government PR.
This situation not only challenges the principles of free and independent journalism but also impacts the public’s right to receive a broad and unbiased visual account of governmental activities. The WPA emphasizes that fair, regular, and equitable access to photographing public officials is vital for democracy, especially in an election year when the integrity of information is paramount.
The association has called for internal discussions among newsrooms on steps to support independent photojournalism and maintain the diversity of image supply. The WPA’s statement also mentions the refusal to contribute to the government’s Flickr account, suggesting a move towards more ethical decisions regarding the use of PR photographs.
