Dangerous Scene: Journalists Assaulted During U.S. Protests
U.S. Journalist Gets Shot During Live on-Air Broadcast
Hit by a Bullet: Journalist Lauren Tomasi from 9News, while live on air, suddenly finds herself in a harrowing situation, as a loud noise mars her report on demonstrations in Los Angeles. A rubber bullet aimed behind her leaves her shaken and cursing, but thankfully, uninjured.
CNN Captures the Moment: The scene has been recorded by CNN, revealing Tomasi's moment of terror. According to reports, the incident falls alongside recent violent outbreaks against journalists during protests.
British Photographer's Ordeal: Nick Stern, a news photographer, had a much more harrowing experience, enduring emergency surgery after being struck by a 14mm "spongy bullet" while observing a confrontation between protesters and police in Paramount, a predominantly Latin American neighborhood in Los Angeles. He's currently recovering from this traumatic event.
Protests Escalate: The ongoing demonstrations in Los Angeles have intensified following orders by U.S. President Donald Trump for the National Guard and military mobilization, in response to the protests against deportations.
Behind the Scene: Los Angeles has seen a surge of violent incidents targeting journalists covering protests in the past weeks. Here's a rundown of recent cases and crucial details:
Recent Assaults
- Violence Wave: At least 27 attacks on journalists covering protests in Los Angeles have been reported between June 6 and June 8, 2025. Both law enforcement and protest participants were involved in these incidents [1].
- Police Projectiles: More than half a dozen journalists have been hit by police projectiles during reporting on these protests [2].
Historical Perspective
- Ruben Salazar's Tragic Death: This escalating violence tragically mirrors the 1970 death of journalist Ruben Salazar, who was killed during a protest in East Los Angeles by a tear gas canister fired by a law enforcement officer. Salazar's case remains a poignant reminder of the risks journalists face when reporting on public events [3].
Outcry and Concern
- Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have denounced the rise in violence against journalists, calling for greater protection for those reporting on protests [1].
- The recurring incidents underscore the pressing need for improved safety measures and the upholding of journalists' rights to report on public events without fear of violence or intimidation.
[1] Reporters Without Borders (RSF). (2025, June 10). Los Angeles: Journalists under attack while covering protests. Retrieved from https://rsf.org/en/news/los-angeles-journalists-under-attack-while-covering-protests
[2] Santos, A. (2025, June 9). How rubber bullets ended up on our streets. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-la-rubber-bullets-explainer-20250609-story.html
[3] San Antonio Express-News. (2015, August 18). Ten memorable moments in LA Times history. Retrieved from https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/article/Ten-memorable-moments-in-LA-Times-history-6460095.php
No, the individual case of journalist Lauren Tomasi being shot with a rubber bullet during a live broadcast in the general-news category of crime-and-justice in the USA is a stark reminder of the violent outbreaks against journalists during protests. The recent surge of violent incidents targeting journalists in Los Angeles's politics and current events also highlights the need for improved safety measures and the upholding of journalists' rights to report on such events without fear of violence or intimidation.
