ICFJ Condemns Attacks on Journalists Covering U.S. Protests

By: ICFJ | 06/01/2020

Reporters in the U.S. have been attacked while covering protests triggered by the police killing of George Floyd. In the incidents reported so far, journalists have been shot at with rubber bullets, pepper sprayed and assaulted on air. ICFJ strongly condemns these attacks. As they cover this important story, reporters must be safe to do their jobs.

“Journalists must be free to report safely on the demonstrations – and not be threatened with violence,” said Joyce Barnathan, president of ICFJ. “It’s vital reporters keep the public informed with the facts at this critical moment.”

If you are a reporter covering protests, please look at these resources from IJNet to help you stay safe – along with those from the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, and Reporters Without Borders.

ICFJ works with tens of thousands of journalists across the world, supporting their efforts to produce news reports that lead to better governments, economies and societies. An attack on one journalist is an attack on journalists everywhere.

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