New York City Bans Amateur Videography & Phtography of World Trade Center Collapse Areaby Robin LissPublished on Sep 25, 2001 12:00 AM 
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The city of New York has officially banned all amateur videography and photography of the ruble and the recovery effort at the site of the collapsed World Trade Centers. In an official statement offered today, the mayor's office said that the ban was because the area is a crime scene and was out of respect for the families of the victims of the September 11th tragedy.
The office of the mayor said that the ban does not affect persons or organizations gathering video or photographs on behalf of the news media. The mayor's office said that there were amateur photographers taking photographs and selling them on the street. The New York City government posted signs stating that the taking of pictures was prohibited and violators could be prosecuted.
This raises an interesting point. As we have stated many times before, technology is blurring the line between professional and amateur camcorders. This has allowed millions of home users, "amateurs" if you will to take their own stunning video of famous landmarks. People are no longer forced to rely on professional photographs on a postcard to capture a memory of a place or a location - technology now allows any one to take capture their own "custom" memories with their own technology. Should this recently gained ability be restricted now? Some would argue that the line between the media and the public is so blurred that if the media is allowed to take pictures you must allow the public to do so. However, others would argue that amateur videographers do not have the professional integrity to be tactful and respectful towards the families of this tragedy which is of utmost importance. It's a very interesting debate.