Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 15:31:20 +0000
From: undercurrents alternative news <underc-AT-gn.apc.org>
Subject: VIDEO JOURNALIST ARRESTED


Undercurrents productions Press release
December 2 1999

VIDEO JOURNALIST ARRESTED
Yet another video journalist from Undercurrents productions has been
arrested while reporting Environmental protests. Undercurrents employee,
Charlotte Wilcox  was reporting on the protests against Rail
privatisation/WTO in London on November 30th.

Police in riot dress surrounded journalists and demonstraters alike and
detained them for hours until groups of police officers sent in "snatch
squads" to pick out and search individuals. Ms Wilcox was bundled outside
the police cordon and subjected to a search and verbally threatened by
police officers.

Her video camera , tapes and equipment was taken from her and the female
officer who searched Ms Wilcox threatened to "throw her down and break her
back".

Charlotte Wilcox said
"This was not about justice or the law, this was about gathering as much
information about citizens involved in demonstrating. The police made no
attempts to verify that I was an employee of Undercurrents productions. I
was arrested only because I had a video camera which the police figured
would increase their infomation gathering. I intend to sue the police for
this gross injustice."

Ms Wilcox was arrested on suspicion of stealing a video camera and taken to
Islington police station and held until 5am the next morning and turned out
on the London street.  No property sheet was given for the seizure of her
property.

Director of undercurrents productions, Paul O' Connor said-
"This arrest follows a long line of harrassment of news gatherers this
year. Working with the National Union of Journalists we have recorded over
16 cases of journalists who have been arrested while reporting on
environment issues. One video journalist, Roddy Mansfield who has worked
with Undercurrents has been arrested 10 times in the last 2 years. His
equipment and tapes are seized only to held until his deadlines are passed
and then he is released later without charge. This is news management by
the police and it totally against the priniciples of Press freedom.
Charlottes arrest is just a continuation of that abuse of power."

The police agreed to return the camera and tapes tomorrow.

Futher details of this and other arrests can be obtained by phoning Paul O'
Connor on 01865 203661


			Undercurrents productions
			16b cherwell st
			oxford ox4 1 bg
			Tel 	01865 203661
			Fax	01865 243562
	Tv production, videos production, media training
			http://www.undercurrents.org