Press Freedom Under Siege in Los Angeles Amidst Immigration Protests

June 11, 2025 – USA – 

Los Angeles became a flashpoint for press freedom concerns as journalists covering protests against federal immigration raids reported being targeted by law enforcement. Over two dozen journalists were injured, with incidents ranging from rubber bullet and pepper ball injuries to physical detentions, raising alarms about the safety and rights of the press.

Among the affected were CNN correspondent Jason Carroll and his crew, who were detained while broadcasting live from the protest zone. Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was struck in the leg by a rubber bullet, and several other reporters, including those from the New York Times and New York Post, sustained injuries from less-lethal munitions. These actions have drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, which documented over two dozen attacks on journalists since June 6.

In response, a coalition of 27 press freedom and civil liberties organizations, including the First Amendment Coalition, the Freedom of the Press Foundation, and the ACLU, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The letter alleges that federal officers violated the First Amendment rights of journalists by using crowd control munitions against them and appearing to deliberately target them, even when identified as members of the press.

These incidents have sparked a broader debate about the treatment of journalists during public demonstrations and the importance of protecting press freedom. Advocacy groups emphasize that journalists play a crucial role in documenting events and holding power accountable, and that their safety and rights must be upheld to ensure a free and informed society.

Reference – 

First Amendment Coalition Accuses DHS of Targeting Journalists in LA Protests