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The Dangerous Job of Protest Reporting

Protests are among the most powerful ways that citizens express their discontent with those in power. It follows that stories and coverage of protests are an essential and powerful form of reporting that can help people understand the events on the ground where protests unfold. But reporting from protests is also one of the more hazardous places for a journalist to be. Throughout last summer, we saw attacks and arrests increase starkly against journalists doing the important work of covering protests on the ground. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker reported a significant uptick in these incidents, and we even saw the dramatic scenarios play out on TV. 



CNN's Omar Jimenez was arrested on live television in Minneapolis last summer. This highly publicized event brought to the spotlight the real risks that protest reporters undertake when bringing these important stories.

This of course plays out internationally as well. Over the last two months, violent clashes between protestors and the military have played out in Myanmar, where the military overthrew the government in a coup. This dramatic event has of course demanded the attention of the region's reporters. Such a volatile situation, however, can be dangerous. 

Three weeks ago, AP reporter Thein Zaw was arrested while doing his job of covering the protests in Myanmar. He was finally released on Wednesday, but he says that many other journalists remain in a Myanmar prison and that he was worried every single day that he was detained. Thein Zaw is one of hundreds who are arrested for doing their jobs every year, and these incidents especially occur in the critical times of cultural and political upheaval. It is important to remember and appreciate the efforts by these reporters who bring such critical coverage. 


                                             Thein Zaw, AP Reporter




Comments

  1. Dawson McMonigleApril 25, 2021 at 4:53 PM

    Hey Adyson this is a really good post and topic! I think the concern and attention is warranted but I’m not sure the uptick by the freedom tracker is indicative of a true increase in wrongful arrests or detentions. There were many rioters and violent protesters that claimed to be journalists and in this there was a lot of confusion and in confusion comes mistakes more often than not. In many of these cases there are reporters repeatedly ignoring authorities which then prompted these arrests or detentions. Though reporting is important these people must respect the law and not add more confusion and dress to an already hectic event. I also do not think this is a reflection of our government or what we stand for as the cases in Myanmar are of their government. When wrongdoing occurs in the U.S. our system corrects the issue where Myanmar is and the arrests and imprisonment of their reporters is stemming directly from their government. So though I think we should always talk about this issue and ensure the integrity of reporting and transparency in the US I think we should recognize the freedom our press does have and how great it truly is despite recent events.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Madison CummingsApril 26, 2021 at 3:29 PM

    Last summer when I first saw Omar Jimenez get arrested on live TV while covering a protest, I was completely shocked. Not only was he being unproblematic and not provoking arrest, the U.S. Constitution protects the people's right to protest (if he wanted to.) Growing up I can remember hearing stories on the news about journalists in Iraq being kidnapped or killed. This threatening behavior towards journalists is not something you would expect from the United States.

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