Episode 165: Mickey Osterreicher (Legal Protections For Photojournalists)

Mickey Osterreicher of NPPA Discusses Photojournalism in the Modern Era: Legal Rights, AI Challenges, and How to Protect Your Work

The 10 Frames Per Second podcast episode featuring Mickey Osterreicher, General Counsel for the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), uncovers the toughest challenges facing today’s visual journalists:

• Shrinking newsrooms & the rise of freelancers
• Legal battles over copyright, AI‑generated images, and fair use
• Police confrontations, arrests, and deportations of journalists
• The vital role of the NPPA in advocacy and education

If you’re a photojournalist, visual storyteller, or anyone who relies on images to inform the public, the insights from this episode are essential reading. A past guest on 10FPS (Episode 20) Mickey’s career arc illustrates how photojournalism and law intersect:

Phase	Highlights
Early Years	Started with a 35 mm camera in college, photo‑edited the school newspaper, then worked for the Buffalo Courier‑Express (10 years).
TV Transition	Moved to WKBW‑TV, covered sports, and realized visual storytelling mattered more than column space.
Law School	Inspired by covering the Attica prison uprising and escorting attorneys William Kunstler & Ramsey Clark, he enrolled in law school while still working nights at the TV station.
NPPA Legal Counsel	Joined the NPPA in the early 1970s, later became its volunteer legal counsel, handling copyright, First Amendment, and police‑training issues.

Key takeaway: A solid legal background can turn a photojournalist into an advocate for the entire visual‑journalism community.

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The State of the NPPA

Why the NPPA Is Still Critical

• Founded 1946 – the “voice of visual journalists.”
• Membership shift: From staff photographers at newspapers/TV to freelancers & independent contractors.
• Financial pressure: Dues are modest, but staff salaries have been cut; board members now perform many staff functions pro‑bono.
• Advocacy priorities:
  • Protect First Amendment rights.
  • Provide legal training for journalists and law‑enforcement agencies.
  • Fight AI‑related copyright infringement.

NPPA’s Current Initiatives

• Legal hotline – direct access to counsel for members.
• First‑Amendment training – delivered to police departments nationwide (e.g., Minnesota, Chicago).
• Copyright small‑claims court – a low‑cost venue for photographers to enforce their rights.
• Writing with Light (WwL) Coalition – developing standards for image provenance and authenticity.

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First Amendment & Police Encounters: What Every Visual Journalist Should Know

1. Know Your Rights

• Public spaces: You have the right to photograph and record, subject only to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.
• “Indicia” of journalist status: Press credentials, professional gear, and a clear “press” identifier help officers recognize you as a journalist.

2. Prepare Before You Go

• Contact local police ahead of time to introduce yourself.
• Work in pairs or a small team—the “buddy system” improves safety and documentation.
• Carry a written list of emergency contacts (phone numbers inked on your arm or stored offline).

3. If You’re Detained

Step	Action
Stay calm	Do not resist; comply with lawful orders.
Identify yourself	Show press credentials, explain you’re exercising First Amendment rights.
Document the encounter	Keep an audio/video record