There are a few issues here pertaining to the collection and publication of photographs in newspapers and magazines.
First, in general, there are no laws in most nations about taking photographs. There are laws concerning trespass and where the photographer might be when the image was captured. In short, if you can see the image from a public area then you can capture the image on film or video.
So, saying the photograph was snapped in a legitimate setting -- from the sidewalk on a public street -- the next question is in use of the photo.
Was this a newsworthy photograph of a traffic accident, or someone carrying an umbrella during a rain storm? The first one is news and the second would be illustration for news, and both are legitimate uses in a newspaper.
If the photographs were to be used for commercial purposes -- illustrating an advertisement for an auto insurance company or for an umbrella manufacturer -- then a model release would be necessary.
In general, there is no problem taking photos for news purposes and no model releases are necessary for news photography.
Hope this answer helps you.
