Dateline show on sexual predators (releases?)

ernesto

ernesto

Well-known member
So I watched the Dateline special on sexual predators a couple of days ago and I noticed that the predators were unaware that they were being taped (for national tv) for a few minutes. Then, once they found out that they were being taped a few asked the people from the show to stop taping and the host answered "can't do that sir". Then, they aired it nationally.

Now, I guess it is possible that they got the releases from those people. However, I highly doubt it since a few of them ran away from the cameras, asked them to stop videotaping, told them it was their right to decide whether they wanted to be on videotape, cried of embarrassment, etc. etc.

So why do we (everyday filmmakers) have to get releases and permits for every single little thing, but then they can do this? No releases, nothing.

I don't feel sorry for the predators because they deserve what they got. But it does make me mad because as far as I understand, there is a double standard between what the national shows have to do, and what I have to do regarding releases.

Any opinions/answers on this?
 
I've been wondering the same exact thing. I don't undertand how that show works. If you think about it, they aren't going to be doing too much suing while they are in prison getting their asses kicked.
 
Hopefully worse. What about the guy who brought his own kid with him. Imagine about the kid at home.
 
Well, take a look at 'Cops'. What person in his/her right mind would sign a release so he/she could appear on national television looking like a complete ass...?
 
They blur out alot of the faces, those are the ones that didnt sign releases. The guys busted on cops were probably given like 50 bucks to be embarrased, because 50 bucks is their next hit when they get out.
 
Blaine said:
Well, take a look at 'Cops'. What person in his/her right mind would sign a release so he/she could appear on national television looking like a complete ass...?
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And yet, they all do. Except the ones who have their faces fuzzed out, but if you can see their faces, that means they signed releases.

I don't know what's with the Dateline thing; maybe they have some exemption because it's classified as "news" rather than entertainment...
 
Their must be some kind of loophole related to the predators being on private property. I mean cctv is legal for preventing or capturing crimes so I assume it's the same type of deal. Or maybe their is a loophole in the laws that relates to the better well being of the general public by capturing these pervs. It's not about the age of the victim, but rather the pervs taking advantage of curious girls/boys. It's crazy, some of these dudes drive 200 miles to get arrested on national tv.
 
Barry_Green said:
And yet, they all do. Except the ones who have their faces fuzzed out, but if you can see their faces, that means they signed releases.

I don't know what's with the Dateline thing; maybe they have some exemption because it's classified as "news" rather than entertainment...
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I think you hit it right on the head Barry. I rember when I was shooting stringer news that I didn't need any image realises as long as I was shooting for news.

But what I find interesting is how big that show has become.
 
Seems to be a mighty fine line between 'news' and entertainment today...


although I consider this show a public service...
 
You're right, its complete BS.

Cops
Dateline
100 other shows do this as well, I've seen helicopter news casting show the faces of 100's of people on the street while chasing a car, and I could clearly see their faces, I guess they all signed release forms right?
 
I think it's also a property issue. Dateline has permission to be on the property and when the pedophile comes and walks in, they don't have any legal expectation of privacy (even if they think they do). With COPS, they're entering homes and properties where people do have an expectation of privacy (but often sign it all away to be on the Tee Vee).
 
HybridCreations said:
I think it's also a property issue. Dateline has permission to be on the property and when the pedophile comes and walks in, they don't have any legal expectation of privacy (even if they think they do). With COPS, they're entering homes and properties where people do have an expectation of privacy (but often sign it all away to be on the Tee Vee).
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Well, by this logic, I could make a movie in my house and not need releases from the actors?
 
This is a really complex issue because the laws vary state by state and are very often not clear and end up being interpreted by the courts. In general, you can photograph or film a "newsworthy" event on public property without violating state privacy and misappropriation statutes. Beyond that, things get complicated quickly.

The following site has some good information on this issue and you can see a sampling of cases state by state--they may offer some guidance.

http://www.rcfp.org/photoguide/
 
Federal law trumps state law so the state law wouldn't matter here other than their interpretation of federal cases. The personal privacy rights of private individuals (less so for public figures) often need to be balanced with 1st amendment rights, in this case freedom of speech and press. The general rule is that if it is a matter of public interest you can reveal it. (public interest to be defined, but pretty clear in the case of pedofiles) There are added protection being it is a news network, which freedom of the press is extended to for reporting on real people and real events.
 
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bosindy said:
Federal law trumps state law so the state law wouldn't matter here other than their interpretation of federal cases.
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This is not entirely true...

Federal law trumps state law IF the federal law provides more protection than the state law. If the state law is stronger than the federal law then the federal law still applies, but any further protections proviede by the state law also apply.
 
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