Declining press freedom in the U.S. is accompanied by alarming attacks on journalists covering protests

Author: Devin Windelspecht, MSc

July 11, 2025

HRRC condemns attacks and harassment of journalists covering anti-ICE protests by the Los Angeles Police Department, and calls on law enforcement agencies nationwide to respect the rights of journalists to report freely without fear of retaliation. 

[Image credit: Getty Images]

As press freedom falters in the United States, law enforcement agencies are being accused of targeting journalists covering anti-ICE and anti-Trump protests. 

In Los Angeles, at least 50 incidents have been recorded of police misconduct targeting journalists who covered June protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on Hispanic and Latino communities. In one notable example, Channel Nine reporter Lauren Tomasi was hit with a rubber bullet that appeared intentionally shot at her by a police officer, an event which was recorded on live camera. Other journalists report being trampled by police horses, shot at with rubber bullets while clearly identified as journalists, and tear gassed. At least one journalist required emergency surgery after being hit by a rubber bullet. 

According to the LA Press Club, these incidents and others clearly violate California law, which sets strict parameters around the protection of journalists covering protests under two penal laws: PEN § 409.7 and PEN § 13652. Among other protections, the laws protect the right of journalists to freely cover protests – including ones declared unlawful – without risk of being detained or attacked, and requires law enforcement to minimize the risk to journalists of being hit by kinetic energy projectiles such as rubber bullets. 

On June 16, the LA Press Club sued the LA Police Department and LA Sheriff’s Office for violating these two laws and using “excessive force” against the press during the protests. 

ِAttacks on journalists covering the LA anti-ICE protests are the most visible, but not the only example of law enforcement violating the rights of journalists covering protests. For example, on June 14, El Salvadorian journalist Mario Guevar, who is authorized to work in the country, was arrested and detained by ICE while covering an anti-Trump protest in Atlanta, and as of July 8 remains in ICE custody. The same day, while also covering the nationwide “No Kings” protests, Mexican journalist Hèctor Ad Quintanar was shot in the knee with a tear gas canister, which he says he believes was a deliberate act. 

These incidents and others have occurred as the Trump administration has escalated attacks on the free press in what has been described as the U.S.’s “first significant and prolonged decline in press freedom in [its] modern history.” Among other actions, the administration’s actions have resulted in the loss of jobs of over 3,500 reporters working for U.S.-government funded outlets, such as Voice of America or Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, according to Reporters without Borders (RSF).

President Trump and his administration have also targeted media outlets with lawsuits, banned the Associated Press from the White House Press Corps, and routinely made disparaging comments about journalists on Truth Social, among other anti-press actions.

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Glossary 

• Deliberate – intentional. 

• Detain – held for a limited period of time by law enforcement. 

• Disparaging – comments meant to diminish the worth or dignity of a person. 

• Escalate – increase in severity or amount. 

• Excessive force – use of force by law enforcement above what is required to stabilize or calm a situation. 

• Parameter – rules and regulations that determine the scope of permissible conduct. 

• Penal law – also known as criminal laws, which require punishment or other repercussions for violating. 

• Police misconduct – actions by law enforcement that violate laws dictating how they can carry out their job. 

• Retaliation – negative repercussions intended to punish an action.

• Violate – infringing upon a right.