Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks

RSF slams law enforcement over journalist assaults in LA protests

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 10 Jun 2025 15:43
3 Min Read

The Executive Director of Reporters Without Borders says the public has a right to know exactly what's going on, which can only happen through journalists.

Listen
  • x
  • Multiple Waymo taxis burn near the Metropolitan Detention Center of downtown Los Angeles, June 8, 2025, following last night's immigration raid protest (AP/Eric Thayer)
    Multiple Waymo taxis burn near the Metropolitan Detention Center of downtown Los Angeles, June 8, 2025, following the immigration raid protests (AP)

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has denounced a disturbing surge in violence against journalists covering protests in Los Angeles, warning that press freedom in the US is increasingly under threat.

The organization confirmed at least 27 documented incidents of violence since June 6, most of them committed by law enforcement, according to a joint statement issued with the Los Angeles Press Club.

The Los Angeles protests erupted on Friday in response to federal immigration raids targeting workplaces. RSF noted that 24 of the 27 assaults on journalists were carried out by police forces, with three incidents attributed to protesters.

The press freedom watchdog emphasized that these attacks represent a direct assault on the public’s right to be informed about events of national interest.

"This wave of violence against journalists on the streets of Los Angeles this weekend is unacceptable. These protests are a matter of huge public interest and the public has a right to know exactly what's going on. The only way that can happen is if journalists are allowed to do their jobs freely," said Clayton Weimers, RSF USA’s executive director.

Press freedom under threat during ICE protest coverage

Related News

Sanders warns of authoritarianism after Trump sends Guard to LA

Weimers warned that the situation has become “inherently dangerous", not only due to the volatile protest environment, but also because of the inability, or refusal, of law enforcement to distinguish between members of the press and demonstrators. “Authorities in LA must do more to ensure press freedom is respected during these protests,” he added.

Among the most visible incidents was the shooting of CNN-affiliate Nine News correspondent Lauren Tomasi with a rubber bullet while reporting live. Video of the incident circulated widely, amplifying concerns over the use of force against media personnel.

Welcome to Trump's America.

Australian TV reporter Lauren Tomasi was shot by LAPD with rubber bullets while covering the protests in L.A.

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"

He is destroying America! pic.twitter.com/viHJq7XHri

— Sumit (@SumitHansd) June 9, 2025

Journalists reported being hit with so-called "less-than-lethal" munitions, including rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper balls. RSF reiterated that the growing hostility toward journalists, particularly during coverage of high-stakes protests, constitutes a clear threat to media rights and accountability.

National Guard deployment exacerbates tensions

The situation intensified after US President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles and 700 Marines, drawing criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom and sparking additional concerns from press freedom groups.

RSF stated that the decision further escalated violence already being carried out by law enforcement against journalists on the ground.

As of Sunday, some 300 federal troops had been deployed to Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press (AP). Their presence coincided with several incidents of aggression against reporters.

Protesters also implicated in attacks

While the majority of incidents involving law enforcement, LA protesters were not exempt from criticism. RSF cited an episode in which a Fox 11 (KTTV) TV crew was heckled and forced to leave a protest site, an incident captured on video and widely circulated on social media.

Despite the hostile environment, RSF continues to document violations of press freedom and is urging both public officials and civil society to reaffirm the vital role of journalists in upholding democratic accountability.

  • LA Immigration Protests
  • RSF USA
  • immigration crackdown
  • Donald Trump
  • Latino Americans

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS