Yes. People and actions in public view are fair game for news reporters and photographers. Contrary to your other answer, no releases are needed. Anyone -- private citizen, reporter or whatever -- can take photos of people and things that are visible in the open without needing anyone's permission. For example, if I happen to be walking down the main street of my town when you take a photo, that's fine. I can't stop you from taking the photo nor from publishing it.
That said, reputable news organizations try hard to be sensitive. At my newspaper, we have never and would never publish photos of dead or suffering victims of an auto wreck, no matter how big the wreck or how newsworthy it might be. It would be legal, but it would not be right. There's a difference.
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Yes. People and actions in public view are fair game for news reporters and photographers. Contrary to your other answer, no releases are needed. Anyone -- private citizen, reporter or whatever -- can take photos of people and things that are visible in the open without needing anyone's permission. For example, if I happen to be walking down the main street of my town when you take a photo, that's fine. I can't stop you from taking the photo nor from publishing it.
That said, reputable news organizations try hard to be sensitive. At my newspaper, we have never and would never publish photos of dead or suffering victims of an auto wreck, no matter how big the wreck or how newsworthy it might be. It would be legal, but it would not be right. There's a difference.
Releases need to be signed before photos are posted.