National Press Club: Media Tour on Attacks Against Journalists Covering US Protests
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WASHINGTON, June 16, 2025 ~ As protests continue to sweep the nation in response to the death of George Floyd, journalists have found themselves in the line of fire. In Los Angeles, reporters have been shot with rubber bullets, pepper balls, and tear gas while being physically pushed and detained by police. In light of these events, the National Press Club has taken action to address the safety concerns of journalists.

On Tuesday, June 10th, National Press Club President Mike Balsamo sent a letter to Sheriff Robert Luna in an effort to open a dialogue between law enforcement and the media. The LAPD responded with their own letter on Thursday, June 12th. With National Guard troops still federalized and U.S. Marines now deployed, ensuring the safety of journalists has become a pressing issue.

To further discuss this matter, Gabe Rottman, Vice President of Policy for Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP), and Bill McCarren, Director of the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club, will be participating in a Satellite Media Tour (SMT) on Friday, June 20th. The SMT will be originating from the National Press Club studios and interview slots will be available from 8:00 am Eastern through 11:00 am Eastern.

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Rottman is a practicing attorney with a focus on press freedom and technology. He has previously worked for PEN America and the American Civil Liberties Union. He received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

McCarren has been involved in press freedom advocacy for over 15 years as Executive Director of the National Press Club before shifting his focus to form the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club in 2024. He has appeared on various news outlets this year discussing press freedom issues.

The recent events in Los Angeles have highlighted the need for re-training within law enforcement when it comes to working safely with journalists. In 2020 alone, over 4,000 LAPD personnel received safety training for working with journalists, but recent events have shown that more needs to be done.

In light of this, the National Press Club is calling for donations to support the work of the Press Freedom Center. This center focuses on helping journalists in trouble and has been involved in campaigns to assist journalists both domestically and internationally. Additionally, working journalists who encounter problems such as arrests or assaults by police can contact the RCFP Hotline at 1-800-336-4243.

As protests continue and more mass demonstrations are expected, it is crucial to address the safety concerns of journalists. The First Amendment itself is at stake and it is important for law enforcement and the media to work together to ensure the protection of press freedom.
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