An Australian journalist, Lauren Tomasi, was struck by a rubber bullet during a live broadcast covering protests in Los Angeles, an incident that has drawn international criticism and reignited debates about press freedom and police tactics.
The protests, fueled by heightened tensions over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, escalated after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard to the city. This decision, reminiscent of measures taken during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, has sparked widespread unrest and confrontations between protesters and law enforcement.
Footage of the incident shows Tomasi reporting from the frontlines as police dispersed demonstrators with rubber bullets. In a shocking moment, she is hit and visibly recoils in pain while attempting to describe the chaotic scene. The live broadcast, shared widely on social media, has become emblematic of the dangers faced by journalists covering civil unrest.
The use of rubber bullets against reporters has drawn backlash from advocacy groups and politicians. Amnesty International, which has documented the misuse of rubber bullets globally, highlighted the alarming trend of physical harm to journalists, with dozens killed and thousands maimed in recent years.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has called for an investigation, and Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young demanded assurances that journalists would be protected in conflict zones. “An attack on a journalist is an attack on press freedom,” Hanson-Young said, adding that the incident underscores the urgent need for accountability in law enforcement practices.
As protests in Los Angeles continue, the incident has sparked broader conversations about press safety, police conduct, and the fundamental rights of journalists to report freely, even in volatile situations. Critics argue that incidents like these erode public trust and create a chilling effect on the media’s role in holding power to account.