USA: RSF calls for LAPD discipline following violence, obstruction of journalists during No Kings protest

A federal judge issued an injunction against the LAPD in July following dozens of attacksagainst journalists covering protests in Los Angeles. The injunction bars police from assaulting journalists, restricting their access, and obstructing or detaining them in the course of their work. Members of the LAPD have repeatedly violated the order, including a surge of violations Saturday at the demonstrations which were part of a day of nationwide protests against the Trump administration. According to data collected by the Los Angeles Press Club and reviewed by RSF, the police repeatedly obstructed journalists or deliberately targeted them with violence while they were reporting on the protests.

In anticipation of the scheduled protests, the Los Angeles City Attorney filed a motionon LAPD's behalf asking to lift the injunction, claiming the restriction against using excessive force on journalists was "overbroad" and created "operational uncertainty." Not only did the judge refuse this outrageous request, but the LA City Council unanimously ordered the city attorney to withdraw the motion.

Multiple journalists reported being victims of targeted violence by the LAPD on the evening of October 18, despite clearly identifying themselves as press. Among them, photographer Ted Soquiof the Sipa Photo Agencysaid he was "struck in the back by a non-lethal round fired by LAPD" and hit with sticks "by the LAPD's mounted equestrian unit." Independent photojournalist Nick Sterntold RSF he was knocked down by a police horse and threatened with arrest while he was showing his press badge. In response to a bystander telling LAPD officers they were shooting at members of the press, a social media videocaptured one officer saying, "That's not the press. That's fake press."

The United States ranks 57th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index. It has dropped 12 places in the past five years, and seen an alarming uptick of press freedom violationssince President Donald Trump took office for the second time in January 2025.