LAPD must safeguard press freedom during protests
A pro-Palestinian protester shouts slogans near Adas Torah synagogue on June 23, 2024, in Los Angeles.
This week, a series of real estate events promoting the sale of properties in Israel and possibly West Bank settlements are coming to Los Angeles. Given the violence against journalists after a similar event in June and at other demonstrations relating to the Israel-Gaza war, police in LA must ensure that journalists are able to report safely and freely.
Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) Advocacy Intern Jimena Pinzon and Advocacy Director Seth Stern wrote for the Los Angeles Daily News to remind the LAPD of journalists’ constitutional and legal rights and urge them to follow the law and its own guidelines.
The LAPD must foster a safe space for journalists covering protests, whether in response to the upcoming real estate events or otherwise. This will help in ensuring a well-informed public and a stronger democracy, and in avoiding the reputational and economic blows other departments have endured after illegally and unjustly cracking down on journalists for doing their jobs.
You can read the full op-ed here.