An Australian journalist reporting live from the Los Angeles protests on Sunday was struck by a rubber bullet fired by a police officer, an incident that has highlighted the growing dangers faced by media personnel covering civil unrest.
Lauren Tomasi, a reporter for Australia's 9News, had just finished delivering a piece to camera for her audience back home when she was hit by a rubber bullet. Footage captured the moment an armed police officer in riot gear, positioned behind her, discharged the projectile.
Following the incident, Nine, the parent company of 9News, released a statement confirming Tomasi and her camera operator were safe. "Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events," the statement read. The network further emphasised the gravity of the situation: "This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information."
The protests in Los Angeles have been ongoing for three days, sparked by public opposition to President Donald Trump’s recent immigration enforcement policies. Journalists like Tomasi are on the ground providing crucial firsthand accounts of these significant events, often at considerable personal risk. This latest incident serves as a potent reminder of the need to protect journalists as they perform their vital democratic function.
The projectile that struck Lauren Tomasi was a "rubber bullet," a term for kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs) often made of composite materials, designed for blunt force rather than penetration. Originally for riot control, these rounds are used by law enforcement to disperse crowds. However, direct hits, particularly to the head, can cause severe injuries or even death, with human rights groups documenting widespread misuse and harm. While many nations permit their use, a growing international debate advocates for stricter regulations due to their potential for injury. Countries like Austria and Norway have significantly restricted or banned their police's use, contrasting with widespread deployment elsewhere
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Pa...
The head of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) says Armenia has effectively withdrawn from the military alliance, despi...
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met India’s Minister of External Affairs in Baku for talks on strengthening bilateral relations, with a fo...
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Russia is willing in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in November, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said after President Vladimir Putin met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
The modern state has been formed within the framework of the principle of secularism. For this reason, the principle of secularism is reflected in constitutional texts, which are regarded as a social contract and regulate relations between the state and society (citizens).
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met India’s Minister of External Affairs in Baku for talks on strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, investment, energy and technology.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Greece’s parliament has passed a bill banning under-15s from using social media from 1 January 2027, as the country steps up efforts to protect children online. The new law will require platforms to enforce age restrictions.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Friday that 70,000 security forces would be mobilised throughout the country to keep order on Saturday, adding there have been calls for looting and violence from the ultra-left.
Missile and drone attacks have put Saudi Arabia on high alert, disrupting life in Riyadh and testing a new defence pact with Türkiye and Pakistan as regional tensions escalate.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment