The Committee to Protect Journalists is a nonprofit organization promoting “…press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.”
Journalists are protected by international law, but are increasingly targeted by governments. It is disheartening to see the Los Angeles Police Department possibly following this dreadful trend.
A shocking video from Los Angeles shows an officer taking deliberate aim and firing at an Australian journalist during a live broadcast. Certainly mistakes are made during the “fog of war.” And when businesses in downtown LA are being looted, there is undoubtedly a need for a strong police presence. The officer in question could have been firing at something out of the camera view…but then again, maybe not.
There are legitimate peaceful protests occurring in Los Angeles, and such demonstrators, in this country, have a right to express their views. They should never be fired upon.
Regrettably, US presidents have a long history of targeting the press, including Obama, Nixon and even FDR.
Christopher Hitchens’ 2006 remarks on freedom of speech, particularly the freedom of the person who thinks differently to express their views, is worth revisiting:
“Every time you silence somebody, you make yourself a prisoner of your own action, because you deny yourself the right to hear.”
Richard Watson 