In 2008, Free Press reported that numerous journalists were arrested at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. while attempting to report on the event and related protests.

Now it appears that journalists are encountering violence and intimidation once again, this time from riot police at the G20 Summit in Toronto. Watch this video from The Real News journalist Jesse Freeston, who was punched by a police officer while trying to cover the demonstrations.

The increasingly militarized system of silencing the voices of demonstrators and journalists covering these stories is disturbing. Police intimidation, arrests and violence toward journalists is simply unacceptable.

What are the rights of journalists covering stories in public places? Who can be called journalists anyway? And why is journalism still important? Listen to this podcast to hear more about this discussion, and tell us your viewpoint in the comment section below.