I've had a similar experience while taking photos at the local homeless encampments and I think it's crucial for newsrooms to establish clear protocol when they send reporters into these situations.

It's a serious ethical dilemma for us.

Here's a short thread on why. #HamOnt https://twitter.com/CBCHamilton/status/1297276046363033601
It boils down to balancing the public interest of encampments and a person's right to privacy.

You're allowed to take images or videos on public property, which means it's legal for journalists to film or photograph homeless encampments — the problem is, that is someone's home.
I faced a similar situation while taking recent pictures of tents with no one in the shot.

After a brief confrontation, I chatted with people there and one of them said, "You guys take pictures of us like we're wild animals."

Despite my best efforts, they felt vulnerable.
The report about what happened to the CHCH journalist is terrible and should never happen to anyone in the media.

But you can also see where that frustration from the other side of the camera comes from, especially for those who don't know how newsrooms operate.
I think the only way to cover encampments is to talk to people first.

It's not the normal protocol, but these aren't normal circumstances.

But that's why newsrooms need to discuss these situations.
You can follow @bobbyhristova.
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