Journalist secures $700,000 payout and obligatory press training for authorities

Location: United States, Los Angeles
Date: November 7, 2023

Radio reporter Josie Huang has reached a $700,000 settlement with Los Angeles County following her violent 2020 arrest. The agreement, celebrated by the Coalition For Women In Journalism, underscores the significance of press freedom and the protection of journalists' reporting rights. While no admission of wrongdoing was made, the settlement includes crucial measures requiring authorities to undergo training on proper interactions with the press. This resolution marks a positive stride towards preventing future incidents between law enforcement and journalists. 

On November 7, 2023, Los Angeles County agreed to settle the case brought against it by LAist reporter Josie Huang, who was brutally arrested and detained by the police three years ago.

"Journalists in Los Angeles County should be able to record police activity in public without fear of unlawful arrest," stated Huang after the settlement was announced.

Huang was arrested in September 2020 when the reporter was covering a protest in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd. Sherrif deputies slammed Huang on the ground, accusing her of interfering with the arrest of a protester outside a hospital where officers were receiving treatment for gunshot wounds. The journalist’s violent arrest was caught on video.

The settlement, approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, marks the conclusion of pre-litigation talks between government attorneys and the press freedom group representing Huang. The journalist was awarded a $700,000 payout as part of the agreement. The deal also includes provisions for the LA County and sheriff departments, outlining guidelines to ensure their deputies are properly trained for interactions with the press.

According to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, this settlement is the largest compensation awarded to a journalist for rights violations during 2020 protest coverage, establishing a new standard for journalists facing arrests or assaults by law enforcement.

“This settlement upholds the rights of journalists and helps ensure that what happened to me won’t happen to other reporters,” says Huang. “My arrest was traumatic, but I hope that some good can still come of this experience.” The reporter also declared her intention to donate a portion of the settlement money to charity.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes Josie Huang’s settlement agreement with Los Angeles County. While the county and sheriff's department did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement, the requirement for issuing guidance to deputies underscores a commitment to preventing similar incidents in the future. This resolution marks a crucial step in safeguarding journalists' rights and promoting press freedom, emphasizing the need for responsible and respectful interactions between law enforcement and the media.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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