Reporters Arrested

Given recent protests and rioting against police brutality, many news outlets are quick to cover the story. However, as tensions rise, some of these newscasters are being silenced live. Take, for example, Omar Jimenez, a CNN journalist who was arrested on live TV for apparently no exact reason. 

Omar Jimenez being arrested on Camera.


Mr. Jimenez was reporting with his crew in Minneapolis as Police in riot gear pushed back rioters and began to make a couple of arrests. Jimenez only stood by and reported on what he was observing as the police line continued to push up. Once the line caught up to him, Jimenez and his team alerted the police they were press and asked officers where they should be moved. However, officers arrested Jimenez, his cameraman, and his producer and forced them out to the side and into police custody. 

Courtesy of Committee to Protect Journalist


Since that day, many press personnel has had their freedom of the press violated such as being arrested for reporting, have guns aimed at them, being assaulted by riot officers, or being shot by rubber bullets. A consistent theme among all of these has been from officers seeing the camera and these reporters identified themselves as press. 


Not only does this violate the freedom of press clause, but also freedom of assembly and speech. With much of these peaceful protests, officers have abused their power, breaking up peaceful protests with violent means such as rubber bullets, riot shields, and tear gas. While the country does its best to contain the violence seen throughout the weeks of protest, it also is noted that most of the violence seen throughout most of these events comes from those who swore an oath to protect and serve. 


For more information regarding the arrest of Mr. Jimenez see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIClA57jWmQ 


And here: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cnn-reporter-crew-arrested-live-tv-minneapolis-riots-george-floyd-a9538541.html


For more examples of freedom of press violations, see here: https://cpj.org/2020/06/at-least-125-press-freedom-violations-reported-over-3-days-of-us-protests/ 

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