Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

'I'm getting shot!': Journalists under attack from police and protesters across US

The arrest and handcuffing of a black CNN journalist has drawn the widest coverage.

CNN / YouTube

JOURNALISTS COVERING NATIONWIDE protests over the death of a black man at police hands in Minneapolis have found themselves under attack, by police and at times by protesters.

The arrest and handcuffing Friday of a black CNN journalist by police in Minneapolis — even as he was reporting live on camera following the death of George Floyd — may have drawn the widest coverage.

The journalist, Omar Jimenez, was released an hour later after the Minnesota governor personally intervened.

But there have been several other serious incidents across the country, notably in Louisville, Kentucky, where a riot-squad policeman fired what appeared to be pepper-spray pellets at a local TV crew filming the scene.

“I’m getting shot!” Kaitlin Rust, a reporter with local TV channel WAVE-3, cried out on camera.

MSNBC / YouTube

And in Minneapolis, freelance journalist Linda Tirado was struck in the left eye by a rubber bullet fired by police, and said later on Twitter that she had permanently lost vision in that eye.

“Authorities in cities across the US need to instruct police not to target journalists and ensure they can report safely on the protests without fear of injury or retaliation,” said a statement from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Members of the media have also come under attack by protesters. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, photographer Ian Smith said he was subjected to a beating until other demonstrators came to his defence.

In Atlanta, the headquarters of news network CNN was attacked Friday by several dozen people. Someone in the crowd lobbed a flash grenade into the building’s lobby as police stood guard there.

Yesterday morning, a Fox News journalist who was reporting from a position in front of the White House was pummeled and chased by demonstrators until police intervened.

MSNBC / YouTube

“If you are a protester, do what you feel is right, but don’t stop us from doing what we know is the job we have to do for the public. Please do not target, intimidate, humiliate or block our efforts,” said a statement from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

President Donald Trump has frequently targeted the news media as a source of what he calls “fake news,” claiming without evidence that the media invent stories intended to harm him.

CNN / YouTube

Following the attack on the CNN building in Atlanta, the president retweeted a supporter’s post that seemed to gloat about the incident: “In an ironic twist of fate, CNN HQ is being attacked by the very riots they promoted as noble & just. Oops.”

He has regularly denounced the press as “enemies of the people,” and has often singled out CNN as a favorite target.

Media critics and commentators say such language can have the effect, at least among fringe elements, of encouraging violence against journalists.

© – AFP 2020

Author
View 74 comments
Close
74 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Mac
    Favourite Martin Mac
    Report
    Nov 28th 2012, 3:27 PM

    While the ar-se-hole Kenny ups rates by as much 75% this month for business across Ireland which will Clare down many and loose jobs. Well done Kenny the man who kills business in Ireland and create job losses.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jay Thompson
    Favourite Jay Thompson
    Report
    Nov 28th 2012, 6:42 PM

    Why is this happenin ive need no information on this

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Mcgee
    Favourite William Mcgee
    Report
    Nov 28th 2012, 6:43 PM

    Christmas shopping before the budget, after next week people will not afford to shop as once again they will be mugged by enda, gilmore and co.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Lennon
    Favourite Richard Lennon
    Report
    Nov 28th 2012, 1:59 PM

    Trade down in the bar I work in,Must be food people are geting fatter.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Waffler Towers
    Favourite Waffler Towers
    Report
    Nov 28th 2012, 1:51 PM

    Bars?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross McNulty
    Favourite Ross McNulty
    Report
    Nov 28th 2012, 3:19 PM

    Could be all the Christmas decorations going up at the beginning of October….

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a comment

 
cancel reply
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds