seems like a function of their role in the 4th estate as the watchdogs of government.
In practical terms, a journalist covering a protest should not be treated the same by security forces as a protestor. I am sure other, similar scenarios can be imagined.
I would say that they should, both the protestor and the journalists should be treated with respect. Even then though, a non-journalist that is not a protestor should be able to cover a protest just as well as professional journalists can.
> as the watchdogs of government.
More like dogs of the government. The ones willing to go against it in any meaningful manner are few and sidelined.
re: protestors vs journalists, one is an active participant in the story and the other is an observer. While I do think protestors deserve respect, I feel journalists should be given wider protection (for example, assembly is cited as unlawful, protestors must disperse. Journalists should be allowed to stay and document what happens).
