Can a newspaper use a photo of me in uniform working in a secure location?

Question

I work as a corrections officer at the South Correctional Entity. Some how a photo of me in full uniform was taken as I walked down a hallway inside our secure facility. This same photo has been used multiple times by the Seattle Times in articles and also on news outlets such as King 5 an Komo 4. My issue with this is my picture is now associated with negative press involving death of inmates. Does the Seattle Times own the rights to use this photo without my consent?

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

The use of your photo in the media without your consent raises privacy and legal concerns, particularly when it involves your workplace and uniform in a secure facility. Typically, newspapers have broad protections under the First Amendment for publishing photos that are deemed newsworthy or taken in public settings. However, if the photo was taken in a secure area without your permission, it could be an issue of intrusion or invasion of privacy. 
 
Since the image is associated with negative press, you may want to explore whether this usage could be considered defamation if it harms your reputation or falsely implies your involvement in certain events. Additionally, you could question whether the photographer had proper access to the facility when the photo was taken, especially in a controlled environment like a correctional institution. 
 
It might be helpful to consult with a legal professional to review the specifics of your case. They could help determine whether any rights were violated and what steps you can take to address this situation.

Q: Can a newspaper use a photo of me in uniform working in a secure location?