When US journalists are being attacked live on air, global press freedom is under threat

It is a deeply concerning barometer of the state of freedoms in the US – a country that markets itself as a beacon of democracy in the world, writes Bel Trew

Sunday 07 June 2020 13:58 BST
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CNN journalist Omar Jimenez and his crew were arrested while reporting live on air in Minneapolis, and later released
CNN journalist Omar Jimenez and his crew were arrested while reporting live on air in Minneapolis, and later released

Live on air, a US police officer in full riot gear rams the Australian cameraman in the stomach with his shield then punches him in the face and camera. A second officer clubs the female correspondent on the back of the head with his truncheon as they both try to flee.

Just seconds before, the two-person team for Australian channel 7News had been crouched beside a wall, out of the way, filming crowds of protesters by the White House that were suddenly being cleared ahead of a curfew.

The unprovoked and unnecessarily vicious attack on the camera crew was filmed from multiple angles, and has sparked international uproar as well as a complaint from the Australian authorities. The incident is apparently being investigated. But what made it more worrying is that it was not unique.

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