The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is speaking out against what it calls the dangerous and indiscriminate targeting of journalists covering recent immigration-related protests in the Los Angeles area. This week, RTDNA joined more than two dozen press freedom and civil liberties organizations in signing a joint letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The letter condemns the treatment of journalists by federal law enforcement during protests surrounding immigration raids, citing multiple reports of forceful and injurious actions against members of the press.
“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,” the letter states. “In some cases, federal officers appear to have deliberately targeted journalists who were doing nothing more than their job covering the news.”
A similar letter is expected to be sent to local police departments alleged to have also been involved in targeting journalists.
RTDNA Advocacy Advisory Council member Adam Rose, who also serves as Press Rights Chair at the Los Angeles Press Club, has been actively documenting these incidents. His reports are available at Adam Rose’s BlueSky page.
RTDNA and its partners continue to call for accountability and protection for journalists, reiterating that freedom of the press is essential to a functioning democracy — especially in times of public unrest.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
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