Expert to outline how post-9/11 security threatens photographers' freedom, noon Jan. 25

Mickey H. Osterreicher, a lawyer and photojournalist, will examine how security precautions in the wake of 9/11 have threatened photographers' freedom at noon Wednesday, Jan. 25 at a joint meeting of the National Press Club Photography and Press Freedom committees in the Murrow Room.

Osterreicher will discuss the tension between the press and government regarding news coverage of matters of public interest.

The presentation in the Murrow Room is open to the public. Afterwards, Club members and their guests are welcome to join the Photography and Press Freedom committee members in the McClendon Room for lunch at 1 p.m.

No reservations are required for either the presentation or lunch; however, space is limited in the McClendon Room.

Osterreicher will highlight some recent legal decisions he has been involved with as counsel to Hiscock & Barclay, LLP, and general counsel to the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).

Osterreicher is an award-winning photojournalist with almost 40 years experience in print and television. His work has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, and USA Today, as well as on ABC World News Tonight, Nightline, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News and ESPN.

As a lawyer, Osterreicher is experienced in contract, media, copyright and First Amendment Law. He has been actively involved in such issues as cameras in the courtroom, the federal shield law, media access, public photography and copyright infringement.

"Unfortunately since 9/11, the 'War on Terrorism' has somehow morphed into the 'war on photography,'" Osterreicher says.

Visual journalists and citizens taking photographs or recording video in public places have been experiencing extraordinary interference nationwide from security personnel and law enforcement officials at all levels of government, Osterreicher says.

"In recent months, the Occupy Wall Street protests have only exacerbated the situation, where photographers have been detained, interfered with and in many cases arrested for doing nothing more than taking pictures or recording video of matters of public concern in traditional public forums such as parks and city streets," Osterreicher says.