How can I avoid being shown in a border control reality show?

Question

Many countries now have popular reality shows which are filmed at immigration control (e.g. Australia, Canada, and the UK). These programs film both ordinary and scandalous events, and there is at least anecdotal evidence of both border officers and producers pressuring travelers to participate in one of these shows.

If I am at an immigration checkpoint and observe filming is going on, how can I avoid being shown in these programs (even in the background), without aggravating immigration officers who might want people to participate in these shows?

Answer 1

IANAL and it depends on the jurisdiction. The following is what happens for Canadian shows:

For a creative type show, generally they ask permission to film you or they they set up cameras that records quite a lot but then they request permission to have you appear in the show, if they find your participation interesting. Much more is usually filmed than is shown for nearly all such shows.

However, there is freedom of press in many countries and if they were to have obtained permission to recording the immigration area (for a purpose such as a documentary on immigration handling) than your permission is not needed to be included as part of the footage. If they are speaking directly to you than would have the choice of denying the interview. It seems like the Canadian one was marketed as a documentary, in which case the rules are more in favor of the press. With such major production, it is often possible to ask for anonymity. They can either blur your face and distort your voice or have a reporter recount the story withholding your name.