Police charge a barricade in the street during a demonstration against the death of George Floyd, near the White House on May 31, 2020 in Washington
Police charge a barricade in the street during a demonstration against the death of George Floyd, near the White House on May 31, 2020 in Washington AFP / ROBERTO SCHMIDT

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has asked for an investigation into the assault suffered by Australian media at the hands of riot police in Washington, DC as they covered the week-long violent protests in the United States.

Reporter Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers of 7News were attacked live on TV while they were reporting the latest events in the country mired in riots and looting. In the footage, a police officer can be seen hitting Myers with a riot shield and then punching him as he forcibly pushed people away from the White House. Brace was also hit by a baton in the back.

According to 9News, the pair have repeatedly identified themselves as members of the media. This isn’t the first time that media were attacked during live reporting. CNN’s Omar Jimenez and his team on Friday were arrested while reporting the latest in Minneapolis. This, despite repeatedly identifying themselves as reporters of CNN.

After being informed by the incident, Morrison asked the Australian Embassy in Washington to investigate the matter. Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese said what happened was unacceptable, especially since what Brace and Myers were doing is “critical” in the current climate.

“In a democratic society, the role of the media is critical and it's important that the media are able to report on events, including crises such as we're seeing in the United States, free from harassment," Albanese said, noted 9News.

"And the violence that has occurred towards members of the media, Australian media and domestic media as well, with tear gas being fired, with media being assaulted, is completely unacceptable."

Morrison’s decision to ask the embassy for a probe into the incident comes just hours after the PM spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump. The conversation centered around the G7 Summit wherein Trump invited Morrison to join an expanded G7 meeting of nations alongside Russia, while excluding China.

While Morrison accepted the invite, a government spokesperson said the decision to include Russia again is a “matter for the existing G7 countries to decide.”

"Australia's position and views on Russia are well known and won't change at all due to their involvement in G7+. It is in Australia's interests to participate regardless and we will continue to provide our views consistent with our values.”

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