Fact Check: The Los Angeles Press Club has compiled more than three dozen verified incidents of journalists being targeted by law enforcement during protests in Los Angeles since early October 2023.

Fact Check: "The Los Angeles Press Club has compiled more than three dozen verified incidents of journalists being targeted by law enforcement during protests in Los Angeles since early October 2023."

What We Know

Reports indicate that since early October 2023, there have been significant incidents involving journalists being targeted by law enforcement during protests in Los Angeles. According to the advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, there have been at least 35 attacks on journalists, with 30 of those incidents attributed to law enforcement. This includes various forms of violence such as being shot with rubber bullets and pepper spray, as well as physical assaults. The Los Angeles Press Club has also confirmed over 30 incidents of police violence against journalists, including 20 injuries, some of which required emergency medical attention.

Specific examples include Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot in the leg by a rubber bullet while reporting live, and New York Post photographer Toby Canham, who sustained injuries from a rubber bullet to the forehead. These incidents have raised serious concerns among press freedom organizations regarding the safety of journalists and the potential targeting by law enforcement during these protests (HuffPost, AP News).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that the Los Angeles Press Club has documented more than three dozen verified incidents of journalists being targeted is robust. Multiple reputable sources, including the AP News and HuffPost, corroborate the existence of these incidents, detailing specific cases of violence against journalists. The reports from these sources are credible as they come from established news organizations and advocacy groups that have a vested interest in protecting press freedoms.

However, it is important to note that while the Los Angeles Press Club and other organizations have reported these incidents, the exact number of verified cases may vary slightly depending on the criteria used for verification. The claim of "more than three dozen" aligns with the reported figures from these sources, which indicate at least 35 incidents.

Critically, the sources used in this analysis are reliable and have been recognized for their commitment to journalistic integrity. The AP News, for instance, has a long-standing reputation for factual reporting, while the HuffPost has been active in covering press rights issues. The statements from press freedom organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists further lend credibility to the claims being made.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the Los Angeles Press Club has compiled more than three dozen verified incidents of journalists being targeted by law enforcement during protests in Los Angeles since early October 2023 is supported by credible evidence from multiple reputable sources. The documented incidents of violence against journalists, including specific examples of injuries and the responses from press advocacy groups, confirm the accuracy of this claim.

Sources

1. With reporters shot and roughed up, advocates question whether ...
2. Press freedom groups say journalists are being targeted during the Los ...
3. Dozens Of Journalists Targeted, Shot, Detained While ... - HuffPost
4. National Press Club Condemns Police Targeting of ...
5. Press Group Sues Los Angeles, LAPD Over Alleged Assaults at Protests
6. Covering the protests - Los Angeles
7. LAPC Calls on Federal Officers to Respect First ...
8. LAPD deliberately targeted journalists at protests, press group ... - Axios