Under Fire: Journalists Targeted During LA Protests

Los Angeles Protests: Journalists Face Attacks, Raising Concerns About Press Freedom Los Angeles, CA – Journalists covering recent protests in Los Angeles have reported a disturbing pattern of attacks and detentions by law enforcement. The incidents, documented by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Los Angeles Press Club, raise serious questions about the safety of journalists and the state of press freedom in the United States. RSF reports at least 27 attacks on journalists between June 1 and June 10, with many injured by police munitions. 9News Australia's US correspondent, Lauren Tomasi, described being struck in the leg by a non-lethal round fired by LAPD officers while reporting live on June 8th. Broadcast footage shows an officer clearly aiming in her direction as she delivered her report. "It was terrifying," Tomasi stated in a recent interview. "I was simply doing my job and felt targeted for it." Investigative journalist Sergio Olmos also experienced an attack, stating, "I have never seen officers so willing to fire on civilians in my years covering protests." A CNN reporting crew was briefly detained and warned they would be arrested if they returned to the protest site. These incidents underscore a growing concern about the erosion of press freedom and the safety of journalists attempting to document important events. The attacks highlight a need for increased protection for journalists and a thorough investigation into these incidents.