BBC cameraman attacked at Trump rally, company wants security review
What's the story
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has asked the White House for a review of security arrangements after its cameraman was assaulted at a Donald Trump rally. BBC cameraman Ron Skeans was attacked by a Trump supporter yelling anti-media slogans during the US president's rally in El Paso, Texas, late Monday. Skeans was unhurt. Another BBC correspondent covering the rally shared the video on Twitter.
Twitter Post
My colleague Rob Skeans was attacked by Trump supporter: Eleanor
Just attended my first @realDonaldTrump rally where my colleague BBC cameraman Rob Skeans was attacked by a Trump supporter. The crowd had been whipped up into a frenzy against the media by Trump and other speakers all night #TrumpElPaso pic.twitter.com/Oiw8osPms3
— Eleanor Montague (@EleanorMontague) February 12, 2019
Details
Access into the media area was unsupervised: Danahar
The man, who was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, was restrained by a blogger for the pro-Trump outlet Frontline America and removed from the media riser. Paul Danahar, the BBC's Americas bureau editor, said he had asked WH Press Secretary Sarah Sanders for a "full review of security arrangements after last night's attack". "Access into the media area was unsupervised," Danahar said.
Twitter Post
'No one in law enforcement intervened before, during, after attack'
I’ve written to @PressSec asking for a full review of security arrangements for the media after last night’s attack on our BBC cameraman at the President's rally. Access into the media area was unsupervised. No one in law enforcement intervened before, during or after the attack.
— Paul Danahar (@BBCDanahar) February 12, 2019
WHCA
There was no swift action to prevent attack, said Danahar
Danahar dismissed a statement from the "Trump for President" campaign, which expressed appreciation for "the swift action from venue security and law enforcement officers". "There was no swift action to prevent or interrupt the attack by any security agency," he said. Condemning the attack, the White House Correspondents' Association president Olivier Knox said, "We are relieved that, this time, no one was seriously hurt."
Twitter Post
Violence against reporters is unacceptable: Knox
Statement on attack on journalist at president’s rally. pic.twitter.com/cdyMl9C2NO
— WHCA (@whca) February 12, 2019
Information
The man attempted to smash the BBC camera: O'Donoghue
BBC Washington correspondent Gary O'Donoghue, who was covering the El Paso event, said his cameraman was pushed and shoved by the unidentified assailant "after the president repeatedly goaded the crowd over supposed media bias". He said the man attempted to smash the BBC camera.
Trump's speech
Trump referred to media as 'totally dishonest' in his speech
Trump paused his remarks following the commotion in the crowd and - pointing at the media - asked, "You alright? Everything OK?" He resumed his attacks on the press later in the speech, referring to the "totally dishonest media". The US president frequently denounces the media as the "enemy of the people" and condemns critical reports about his administration as "fake news".
Press
NYT-publisher urged Trump to tone down 'dangerous' rhetoric towards press
New York Times publisher AG Sulzberger urged Trump during an interview last month to tone down what he called his "potentially dangerous" rhetoric towards the press. Trump has been calling himself a victim of 'unfair' media coverage. The press advocates say that Trump's comments on American News Organization encourage foreign autocrats to threaten, sensor, jail or assault journalists in their country.