There are inherent risks in journalism. Reporters race toward danger, often minutes behind first responders, with no means to protect themselves beyond helmets and flak jackets. From Colonial pamphleteers to 19th century muckrakers and modern digital reporters, journalists have for centuries been ridiculed and taunted. If they're doing their jobs right, they are exposing hard truths that someone doesn't want told.

Today feels different, however. Violence against journalists has increased markedly over the past couple of years in the United States. In 2023, the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker recorded 45 assaults on journalists, 86 in 2024 and 139 so far this year — an alarming increase in a very short period .

Perhaps the most extreme example of violence against journalists came on Jan.

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