By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
POLICE are investigating a traffic accident that has left a female tourist in serious condition in hospital.
Details of the accident are still sketchy but The Tribune understands the woman was attempting to cross the street, near West Bay Street, shortly after noon, when a bus hit her.
A concerned citizen contacted The Tribune after several persons reportedly either had their cellular phones confiscated by police or were told to delete photos after they were caught taking pictures of the woman lying on the ground.
“I found it strange that they made us delete our photos, one man even had his cell phone taken away from him. Is that what the police are doing now? The woman was surrounded by officers and no one was allowed to take a photograph,” the citizen said.
Last year, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade warned the public not to post “lewd” or “obscene” pictures on social media and has vowed to pursue such cases and bring charges. He said that technology should be used for “positive reasons, not to malign persons’ characters,” and called on the public to report any published photos of such a nature.
“I send a clear message to all and sundry: have your fun on social media, send your messages to your friends; but this issue of posting lewd pictures of people, obscene pictures of people – whether they are alive or dead or injured – is an area that’s going to get you into grave problems.”
Following his comments, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson said the government is currently “working on” laws regarding Internet policing.
Mrs Maynard-Gibson said just like many jurisdictions around the world, the Bahamas is looking at how to “deal” with internet crime.
She added that any legislation that the government will bring to parliament concerning that issue will meet international standards.
However, yesterday the concerned citizen said he did not want to publish the images online, but simply wanted to pass the images on to local media.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
People need to understand that this is NOT Ok. I don't blame the officers. Clearly the man is misguided, he claims not to want to publish the photos himself but would hand them over to the media. What's the difference? If that was your child mashed up and bloody in the street would your first thought be to record it and run to the Tribune or Facebook to post the photos?
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 9 months ago
Try to take my phone from me....
I friggin dare you...
wave 9 years, 9 months ago
Really, what happen to "Freedom of Speech" didn't realise the Bahamas has now become the new North Vietnam. Of course I forgot PLP, it explains everything.
UserOne 9 years, 9 months ago
I am glad the police did that. I was in a traffic accident once, badly injured and waiting for the ambulance to arrive. People were videotaping me and I was completely helpless to stop it. It is sick when people want to take photos or videotape people when they are so vulnerable. I applaud the Police Commissioner for his stand on this.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
Exactly. Plain civility, nothing to do with freedom of speech
EnoughIsEnough 9 years, 9 months ago
exactly - civility trumps freedom of speech each time. this obsession that our Bahamian people have with videotaping and photograph other human beings in times of injury or distress and taking pleasure and entertainment in forwarding them and sharing them -well, it's just a sickness and really disappointing. i am beyond happy that the policemen did this and i think they will find that the majority of people would agree. good on them. keep it up. and shame on those of you who think it's okay to post and share photos of someone lying helpless on the road.
CatIslandBoy 9 years, 9 months ago
The police have no right to confiscate anyone's cell phone. I would certainly like to know what section of the penal code gives them such authority. Last time I checked we are supposed to be a society of law and order. When since did a police officer moral compass become a substitute for a law. As vile and disgusting as it may be for anyone to want to photograph an accident victim, such act is currently not against any laws on the books. If we allow the police to encroach on our civil liberties, without any pushback, the day will come when we slowly begin that chaotic slide into a police state.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
No one is saying they have the right to do it, I'm almost certain they don't, I'm just glad they did. Yes I'm being selective, I admit it, Just find this new found fascination with morbid and traumatic scenery very disturbing.
duppyVAT 9 years, 9 months ago
This cellphone voyerism thing is out of hand .......... there was a time when gossip was the worse form of communication in society. Steps must be taken to penalize those who cause public embarrassment and defamation by this new form of internet intrusion
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 9 months ago
Civility DOES not trump freedom of speech. Never has never will.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
No one is saying it trumps it. Just where did it go? Seriously what is happening to our people?
goodone 9 years, 9 months ago
It's crazy how some people minds are so twisted to think it is okay to just snap photos of the badly injured or dead persons. It's like they never put themselves in the helpless person situation. It's so sickening and sad the mental state of some folks.
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