The District Attorney in Los Angeles says it will not file charges against an Asian American reporter accused of interfering with deputies and not properly identifying herself.
The DA’s office told BuzzFeed there is insufficient evidence in the case against Josie Huang, a reporter for both public radio station KPCC and LAist.
“I am gratified that the district attorney’s office has reviewed the evidence, including my video recordings of law enforcement activity, and reached the conclusion that it did,” Huang said.
Deputies slammed Huang to the ground, leaving her with cuts and bruises while she covered an anti-police protest. On a video widely shared on social media, she can be heard identifying herself as from KPCC. The video also shows an ID badge around her neck which also likely identified herself as a reporter.
The Asian American Journalists Association, KPCC and LAist all protested the arrest and demanded the charges be dropped.
LATEST STORIES
Inside Radio also reports Huang won the support of her union, SAG-AFTRA.
“These unconstitutional attacks on the rights of a free press are appalling and must stop now,” SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said following the arrest. “SAG-AFTRA champions the U.S. Constitution and the work of our journalist members, whose primary role is to provide citizens with the information they need to effectively govern a democracy.”
A coalition of 65 media organizations under the banner of Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press also condemned the actions of the deputies.
“The right to record police activity in public is clearly established, and an officer who violates that First Amendment freedom — especially through the use of force — enjoys no legal immunity,” the letter states.
“Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies should never have arrested and charged Josie Huang, who was reporting on protests that are of immense public interest and concern,” said Bruce Brown, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Huang added that she is appreciative of the constitutional rights granted to a free press.
“More than ever, I am grateful for the First Amendment, which entitles all Americans — not just journalists — to the rights of free speech and assembly,” she said.
The arrest left Huang stunned.
