World

Al Jazeera reporter harassed, struck on head amid France protests, looting

Al Jazeera October 17, 2026 14 views

Advertisement

Al Jazeera journalist Rosie Birchard was harassed by protesters who were looting shops in the western French city of Rennes.

According to the report, the journalist encountered a group of demonstrators while covering the unrest and was subjected to verbal abuse and physical intimidation.

The incident occurred amid a wave of protests across France, during which some demonstrators have engaged in looting and property damage in several urban centres.

Rennes, the capital of the Brittany region, has seen a number of clashes between protesters and authorities in recent weeks, reflecting the broader tension that has spread throughout the country.

The harassment of Birchard highlights the risks faced by journalists covering volatile public demonstrations, as media workers often find themselves in the line of fire when civil unrest escalates.

<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>

How did this make you feel?

Never miss a story

Get the best of SpeakOX in your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Advertisement

Category
World

Advertisement