Physical Attack

Category Summary

Total cases	123
Attacks on media in 2020	3
Attacks on media in 2019	34
Attacks on media in 2018	36
Attacks on media in 2017	49
Attacks on media pending pre-2017	1

Two journalists attacked, news van vandalized while covering Puerto Rico protests

February 13, 2020

Two journalists for NotiCentro WAPA-TV were attacked while covering protests in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 23, 2020.According to …

California shop owner charged with assaulting journalists, breaking camera equipment

January 24, 2020

A La Mesa, California, business owner was arrested after altercations with several news crews on Jan. 20, 2020. The man …

Shop owner charged with assaulting journalists, breaking Univision equipment

January 27, 2020

A La Mesa, California, business owner was arrested after altercations with several news crews on Jan. 20, 2020. The man …

Search Results Summary

Total Results	3
Journalists affected	5
Institutions affected	0
Results in 2020	3

How we track Physical Attacks

Journalists who face physical violence, either as the result of a targeted attack by a public or private individual or in the course of their work. If a journalist is hit by rubber bullets or bean bag rounds, it will be counted in this category.

Damage to equipment is counted in a separate "Equipment Damage" category, but may be also listed in this Physical Attack category if the damage occurs with an attack.

Journalists affected by tear gas, pepper spray, or other mass riot control agents will be counted if the individual suffers serious injury or appears to have been specifically targeted. Incidents that fall outside these parameters and in which multiple journalists were affected by riot control agents may be counted in the “Other” category.