KPCC Los Angeles (89.3) reporter Josie Huang has been given $700,000 in a settlement with Los Angeles County. The settlement stems from an incident in September 2020 when she was thrown to the ground and arrested while covering protests.
Huang was arrested during protests outside a hospital where two sheriff’s deputies were being treated after being ambushed and shot in Compton. Police said the reporter interrupted the arrest of another protester at the location.
“Journalists in Los Angeles County should be able to record police activity in public without fear of unlawful arrest,” Huang said in a statement. “My arrest was traumatic, but I hope that some good can still come of this experience.”
In settling the case, the county and sheriff’s department made no admission of wrongdoing. However, the department must provide guidance to deputies on the laws and policies about interactions with media personnel.
“There was a thorough internal investigation into this incident and the appropriate administrative action was taken,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “We understand the role of the media during newsworthy events and make every effort to accommodate them with a designated press area and appropriate access.”
Huang states she intends to donate a share of the settlement to charity.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
