While reporting on the violent riots in Minneapolis on Friday around 5 a.m. (local time), a team from the American television station CNN was arrested in front of a camera. In the city in the US state of Minnesota there had been riots in the past few days after the African-American George Floyd died on Monday as a result of a brutal police operation.
During a live broadcast in front of a squad of police officers, the journalist Omar Jimenez was handcuffed and then taken away. He had previously identified himself as a CNN reporter. The cameraman and a producer were also arrested and the camera was confiscated. The reason for the arrest was not initially apparent.
The live recording showed how Jimenez repeatedly asked the approaching police if the team should change their location. “We can go back wherever you want. We’re live right now, ”said Jimenez, who is black. In the live footage, dozens of police officers could be seen in full gear, including protective equipment, gas masks, helmets and batons.
Jimenez and the CNN team were later released. CNN had previously requested the Minnesota state governor and local authorities to release the team immediately. CNN had criticized the arrest as a restriction of the freedom of the press. The station’s website said a white CNN colleague, Josh Campbell, who was in the area with another team, had been treated with respect by the police and was not arrested.
According to the broadcaster, CNN boss Jeff Zucker had previously spoken to Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz. He apologized for the arrest and worked towards an immediate release of the team. The incident was unacceptable, said Walz according to CNN. “You had the right to be there, we want the media to be there to report.” He takes full responsibility. The Floyd case caused horror in the United States. The four police officers involved in the operation have been released. The Federal Police FBI are investigating the incident.
–
