THREAD on separation of the media and the police when reporting on protests. #BlacklivesMaters
1. I found myself watching CNN at 4am and following the excellent reporting by a team of journalists, all people of colour, reporting from across US cities where people are protesting
1. I found myself watching CNN at 4am and following the excellent reporting by a team of journalists, all people of colour, reporting from across US cities where people are protesting
2. the latest brutality and racist murders of Black people by the police. I was struck by how journalists and the protestors were wearing masks to protect themselves from Covid-19 at the same time as trying to protect themselves from huge volume of tear gas used against crowds.
3. I was also struck by what a difference it makes to our understanding of a situation when experienced journalists, most of whom are known for reporting from countries where there is war, all people of colour, are not standing behind the heavily militarised police lines but are
4. walking with and talking to protestors to find out why they’re on the streets. It shifts power dynamics between journalists and protestors, it shifts power dynamics between heavily armed police and the journalists and it creates a separation of power, which is not automatic.
5. This power is more often than not entwined and mutually dependent on reniforing the status quo and the hierarchy of power.
The reporting was urgent, brave, insightful and focused.Some of the reporters were gasping for air through their face masks as the tear gas was hitting.
The reporting was urgent, brave, insightful and focused.Some of the reporters were gasping for air through their face masks as the tear gas was hitting.
6. It will lead to the predictable doubling down against CNN in particular by Trump and his administration alongside US media organisations who want to do their jobs properly.
7. Let’s see if CNN hold the line and if their fellow journalists and news organisations in the USA and around the world, stand in solidarity with CNN or allow this out of control, narcissistic, truth twisting, unaccountable, proud White supremacist president to pick them off.
8. CNN were reporting across US cities as protestors attacked the organisations HQ in Atlanta and police cars stationed outside the building. It’s more important than ever for journalists to do their jobs properly and accurately and to hold truth and power to account.
