PARIS — Euronews journalists covering Saturday's nationwide protests in the French capital were assaulted by masked individuals near the Place de la République, an attack that underscores the growing hostility toward media at demonstrations across Europe.
Correspondent Estelle Nilsson-Julien and her camera crew were moving from the Place de la République — the focal point of the joint protests by the "gilets jaunes" and student groups — when they encountered a group of looters ransacking an Intermarché Express supermarket at 14 Place Jacques Bonsergent, a short walk from the main square.
"We were standing on Boulevard de Magenta, not far from a supermarket that was being looted by young people, young adults, teenagers. When they saw we were filming, they started hitting my cameraman and attempted to take his microphone and they encircled us," Nilsson-Julien told Euronews.
"They then pushed him against the wall and started hitting and punching him. They also hit me. They punched him in the face, but because he was wearing goggles and a mask, he was not harmed," she added.
During the scuffle, the attackers stole the crew's camera. It was later returned by a group of young bystanders, but the SD card had been removed, and all footage from the incident was lost.
Nilsson-Julien described the atmosphere as "anarchy in the streets," noting that many young people appeared ready for confrontation. "There are many young people who seem like they are ready for a fight and looting going on. So, the calm protests of earlier today, at least in this area, are completely over," she said.
Another Euronews correspondent, Valérie Gauriat, reporting from the Place de la République, was also targeted. While interviewing a protester, a masked individual slapped the back of her head and muttered profanities, denouncing the media's presence at the demonstration.
Media under fire
The attacks come after calls on social media urged protesters to target journalists and media outlets to prevent "the spread of misinformation" about the protests and the violence that has accompanied them. This tactic reflects a broader trend seen in several European countries, where journalists covering demonstrations have faced intimidation and assault.
The incidents in Paris are part of a wider wave of cost-of-living protests across the continent. In Portugal, housing protests have drawn thousands into the streets, while in Lyon, a tourist office was set alight as demonstrations escalated. The French government, already on edge ahead of Saturday's protests, has blamed outside actors for exploiting public anger, a sentiment echoed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding unrest in Tirana.
President Emmanuel Macron has accused political opponents of exploiting student anger, as France braces for further demonstrations. The nationwide protests over living costs have become a flashpoint for broader discontent, with the "gilets jaunes" movement and student unions joining forces to demand economic relief and political change.
For journalists, the risks are becoming increasingly tangible. The attack on the Euronews crew is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by media professionals trying to document public unrest. As the protests continue, the safety of reporters remains a pressing concern, not only in France but across Europe, where the line between peaceful demonstration and violent confrontation is often thin.
