Incident Details
- Date of Incident
- June 15, 2022
- Location
- Miami Beach, Florida
- Assailant
- Private individual
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
A 7News photojournalist was assaulted after filming a fight while on assignment in Miami Beach, Florida, on June 15, 2022.
The outlet reported that the photojournalist — who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons — was out reporting when he saw two men throwing punches at each other.
“[It] looked like they were going to get into and, like, have a fight,” the journalist told 7News. “My kind of news antenna went up. I was like, what’s going on, and then I was just trying to be aware.”
The photojournalist began filming, but when the men realized that they had been recorded they ran across the street and confronted him, the outlet reported.
“They got me in the back of the head right here,” the photojournalist said. He told the outlet that he was repeatedly punched in the head and face. One of the men grabbed his phone from him, but he said he was able to get it back.
When asked if he had told the men he was simply doing his job, the photojournalist told 7News that he hadn’t had time to think about it, as things happened too fast.
The journalist was able to flag down a police officer and filed a report before seeking medical treatment. He told the outlet that he was fine but was still shaken.
“We cover it all the time, you just never think you’re gonna be part of the story,” the photojournalist said.
According to 7News, Miami Beach Police are investigating the incident as a simple battery case.
Neither the outlet nor the police department responded to requests for additional information.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogues press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
