Credited from: HUFFPOST
CNN journalist Jason Carroll was detained by the LAPD on Monday while covering protests in Los Angeles, triggered by federal immigration enforcement over the weekend. During a live broadcast, police instructed Carroll to leave the area, placing his hands behind his back as he was escorted away, with CNN cameras capturing the moment. Carroll confirmed he was not under arrest but was indeed being detained, stating, "I asked. 'Am I being arrested?'" and was told, "No ... you're being detained," according to Newsweek, HuffPost, and The Hill.
While being escorted, Carroll engaged with the police officers, seeking clarification and acknowledging the nature of his work. He conveyed a sentiment shared by many journalists covering such events, remarking, "You take a lot of risks as press, this is low on that scale of risks, but it is something I wasn't expecting," as reported by Newsweek, HuffPost, and The Hill.
The incident has sparked a wider discussion regarding press freedom and safety during protests, especially amid increasing tensions where some journalists have faced violence. Several reports indicated that other reporters experienced injury during these events, echoing Carroll's experience as a reminder of the dangers in frontline journalism. CNN responded affirmatively, stating they were "pleased the situation resolved quickly once the reporting team presented law enforcement with their CNN credentials," according to Newsweek, HuffPost, and The Hill.
The national response has been significant, with President Trump mobilizing National Guard troops amid escalating protests and unrest in the region, which have drawn criticism from state officials and local leaders. The tension between federal and local responses to immigration enforcement has become a focal point of the protests, further complicating the media's role in covering these events, as emphasized by Newsweek, HuffPost, and The Hill.