Taking images or video of children at sporting events
Considerations and guidelines for taking images or videos of children at sporting events, particularly focusing on sports clubs' responsibilities when acquiring and displaying such images. Key points include:
General Guidance:
No specific law restricts photography of people (including children) in public spaces in Australia, with certain exceptions (indecent content, voyeurism, court orders, defamation, and commercial purposes).
Photos of children in a provocative or sexual manner violate Criminal Codes and censorship laws.
Venue-Specific Considerations:
Private property owners or venue managers have the authority to restrict or ban photography on their premises.
It's advisable for sporting event organizers to establish mutually agreed-upon photographing policies for events held on private property.
Addressing Inappropriate Photography:
Venue management should intervene if someone is taking photographs inappropriately, with the option to involve the police or security if necessary.
Concerns about indecent or inappropriate photography should be reported to the police.
Strategies for Acquiring Images:
Clearly outline and publicize appropriate behavior and image content.
Do not allow unsupervised access to children for photographers.
Obtain consent from parents/guardians before photographing children outside the event venue.
Provide media and photographers with identification passes, ensuring compliance with relevant laws.
Strategies for Displaying Images:
Consider using models or illustrations for promotional purposes.
Obtain permission from parents/guardians before taking and displaying images of children.
Avoid naming the child if possible and refrain from displaying personal information.
Only use appropriate images relevant to the sport or activity, ensuring suitable clothing and poses.
Implement measures to reduce the potential for image copying.
Contractual Considerations:
Clearly outline in contracts with photographers who will retain the images, arrangements for negatives and digital files, and any restrictions on use and sale.
Contact Information:
Provide clear details on who to contact within the club or organization for concerns or complaints related to inappropriate image use.
For more detailed information, you can read the full article here.
