Press Freedom Under Fire During L.A. Protests

Journalists injured, detained, arrested amid L.A. protests

More than two dozen journalists have been reported injured while covering the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, including an Australian TV reporter who was struck with a projectile fired by a law enforcement officer while she was on the air and a New York Post photographer shot in the head with a similar projectile. The incidents have drawn condemnation from press freedom groups.

Other reporters have faced interference with their work, including a CNN reporter, who was briefly detained, and his camera crew, who were arrested.

A group of 27 press and civil liberties advocacy organizations have written to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “to express alarm that federal officers may have violated the First Amendment rights of journalists covering recent protests and unrest related to immigration enforcement in the Los Angeles area.”

The coalition, including the Los Angeles Press Club, First Amendment Coalition and Freedom of the Press Foundation, wrote that “a number of reports suggest that federal officers have indiscriminately used force or deployed munitions such as tear gas or pepper balls that caused significant injuries to journalists. In some cases, federal officers appear to have deliberately targeted journalists who were doing nothing more than their job covering the news. … Other evidence suggests that Los Angeles police officers and Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies have engaged in similar conduct. We will follow up as soon as possible with local law enforcement agencies about those incidents.”

Other documented incidents include:

• Ryanne Mena of the Southern California News Group said she was shot with “pepper ball bullets” and posted photos of her injury on X.
• L.A. freelance videographer Sean Beckner-Carmitchel said he was hit with a similar projectile.
• Jeremy Lindenfeld of Capital & Main said he was “shot in the abdomen” with some kind of projectile.
• NBC Los Angeles’ Mekahlo Medina said he was pushed by officers and hit with a projectile, as was a member of his security crew.
• Lexis-Olivier Ray, a reporter for L.A. Taco, said he was struck with multiple pepper balls.
• Toby Canham, who was on assignment for the New York Post and standing just off the 101 Freeway at an elevated level, said he was filming video of the chaos when a California Highway Patrol officer suddenly turned his weapon toward him and fired from about 100 yards away. He said he suffered a massive bruise on his forehead, and whiplash.
• British photojournalist Nick Stern told the BBC a three-inch “plastic bullet” tore into his thigh. He said that up to eight protesters rushed up to him to carry him away from the “danger area” before a medic cut his trousers off, put a pressure pad on the wound and tied a tourniquet. He later underwent surgery at Long Beach Memorial Medical Centre to remove the bullet. Stern has a long history of covering protests and riots around the world. “I was out there wearing a press card around my neck, a big camera around my neck as well,” he said.

Numerous other journalists reported being affected by tear gas. At least two reported having their bags searched by sheriff’s deputies.

USA Today reported that the Los Angeles Police Department told the Committee to Protect Journalists that it will investigate the incidents.

The National Press Club said reporters had been singled out, and called on the LAPD chief to make sure journalists could “safely observe and report” on the protests. “Police cannot pick and choose when the First Amendment applies,” the group’s president, Mike Balsamo, said in a statement reported by the New York Times. “Journalists in Los Angeles were not caught in the crossfire — they were targeted.”

Resources for newsrooms:

The L.A. Press Club has a guide to covering protests in California. Key FAQ from the guide include:

• As a journalist, do I have a First Amendment right to remain at unlawful assemblies? Courts have tried to address related questions, but the time for a nuanced civil rights discussion is not on a skirmish line. In California, you may be protected by Penal Code §409.7 (created by Senate Bill 98).
• What protections does PC §409.7 (a.k.a. SB-98) provide? In California, police can close a public area by declaring an unlawful assembly. PC §409.7 allows journalists to enter (or remain) when this happens at a “demonstration, march, protest, or rally,” with some limits. Specifically, journalists covering these events can’t be cited for failure to disperse or curfew violation. If detained, you can speak with a police supervisor. You can still be arrested for violating any other law, including obstructing an officer. Reciprocally, officers are prohibited from intentionally interfering with journalists. PC §409.7 does NOT allow journalists inside a command post.
• Who is a “journalist” during an unlawful assembly? PC §409.7 protects “a duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network.” This is grounded in long-established precedents and explained in a memo on lapressclub.org. Protections should cover freelance, independent and student journalists. The law does not require police credentials or permission, but practically you must identify yourself. Always carry professional identification in physical form (ex: work or LA Press Club ID, letter of assignment, etc.). Don’t rely on digital versions, as phones can lose power or reception.

Adam Rose, press rights chair of the L.A. Press Club, advises journalists covering protests in Los Angeles to pay attention to whether you’re on federal property or outside it. “California laws that exempt press from dispersal orders for unlawful assembly might NOT apply on federal property,” he notes.

CNPA’s legal helpline can be accessed online here, or email helpline@cnpa.com.

The First Amendment Coalition’s legal helpline can be accessed online here or email fac@firstamendmentcoalition.org.