United States: Journalist Beth Nakamura Was Harassed By Trump Supporters
Location: United States, Salem, Oregon
Date: November 10, 2020
Journalist Beth Nakamura was harassed by a group of men while covering a pro-Trump rally in Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns these harassments against journalists and urges U.S. authorities to conduct an investigation into the attacks in order to ensure journalists' safety in the field.
On November 8, 2020, journalist Beth Nakamura was insulted by a group of men while covering the Stop the Steal rally in Salem. In the video she shared on her Instagram account, it is seen that a group of unidentified Trump supporters were interfering with the journalist’s work. As one of the offenders shouted 'the press is the problem' with a megaphone, another man was trying to block Beth from shooting footage, while questioning her identity and credentials despite having no official authority.
Beth Nakamura commented on her confrontation with the pro-Trump ralliers: “In my entire career I’ve never recorded press harassment but yesterday, when a handful of Trump supporters began following and harassing me, I decided to hit record.” She said “Though I knew it would likely agitate them further, I did it because I wanted to show what harassing journalists actually looks like.” She added that the man who had previously questioned her continued by following her, intending to take her credentials. The journalist described the incident as a ‘violating experience’.
Beth Nakamura is an Emmy Award-winning visual journalist based in Portland, Oregon. Her work has been featured in publications such as American Photography, Society of Professional Journalists, National Headliner Awards, Online News Association, Pictures of the Year International, National Black Journalists Association, National Press Photographers Association and many more.
Beth’s most recent work tells the story of Portland's Black Lives Matter street protests. This documentary paints a picture of the BLM demonstrations in the United States, a well-crafted production to watch. The Coalition For Journalism applauds Beth’s commitment, and supports the dedicated work she has done so far.
Speaking to The Coalition For Women In Journalism Beth explained the current conditions that journalists faced on the ground. She said “Over time people on the ground whether they are law enforcement or protesters or that sort of thing they kind of get to know you. They see through the pattern of behaviour of who you are and I think that helps. I don't go out there and do anything but my job which is mostly to keep quiet and do what I have to do and try to stay out of the way.” She also expounded on the incident she faced “I think the best policy is really not to say anything, but at that point, after so much of what we have experienced in terms of our own profession. I just felt that I needed some agency in that moment. So what I did was to be very quiet and very neutral “Don't harass me please.”” she added.
Beth said this was her first time that she hit the record. According to the journalist people needed to see this experience that journalists face every day. “I just put my camera on my phone on video and hit record. I just felt like, people need to see what it is that we experience. It is one thing just to talk about it, but language could go to sanitize it and when you actually see evidence of it, I think it makes clear to the public what it means to be harassed, to be treated” she conveyed.
We appreciate all women journalists and their courage, serving as a light and inspiration to us all. We support them in doing their job and call on the U.S. authorities to ensure their safety. The safety of journalists and press freedom is one of the most fundamental elements of democracies around the world. We will continue to advocate for these rights until the conditions are met in the field of journalism.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.