Journalists’ union urges photojournalists to reject FC Porto conditions | OneFootball

Portugal’s journalists’ union has urged photojournalists to refuse FC Porto’s conditions at Estádio do Dragão, arguing they are already bound by press law and the profession’s code of ethics.

According to O Jogo, the union called inadmissible a document the club wants photographers to sign for access to its events, particularly matches at the stadium.

It says the Professional Journalist Card, certifying ethical, deontological and legal compliance, is sufficient for accreditation to public events and should be the only access criterion.

The union argued that reporters are already subject to the Press Law, the Journalist Statute and an ethical code, so clubs do not need written commitments. It added the proposed Porto document contains clauses that restrict professional practice and could breach the Press Law, a criminal matter under Portuguese legislation.

The union said it wants to believe Porto will reconsider, comply with the law and accredit professionals with a journalist card, starting with today’s Taça de Portugal tie.

It urged photographers at Porto events to refuse to sign and not to work without dignified and safe conditions, and called on newsrooms to back them and reject images taken by people without legal credentials.

While opposing the document, the union shares Porto’s concerns over misuse of match images and says it has long campaigned for accreditation only for journalists with a professional card across sports, cultural and other events, adding that the simple solution is to grant access solely to card holders.

Source: O Jogo