Human rights monitors at the United Nations and the Organization of American States have called on the American authorities to protect journalists who cover anti-racist demonstrations rather than attack them, while US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has promised to "investigate" some of these incidents.

They blamed President Donald Trump for the hostile approach to the media.

UN Freedom Observer observer David Kaye and his counterpart Edison Lanza of the Organization of American States said that journalists were attacked, harassed, and arrested and detained.

"The press plays an essential oversight role in democratic societies," the two experts said in a joint statement, and they called on the authorities to guarantee the public's right to information about protest movements.

They added that Trump's verbal attacks on the media "contribute to an environment of hostility and intolerance."

In addition, they condemned the militarization of the police in the United States, which "encourages law enforcement to view protesters and journalists as combatants."

Mike Pompeo promised to investigate the incidents of journalists during the demonstrations (Reuters)

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The two experts stressed that the use of weapons such as rubber bullets against journalists is prohibited by international law.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised to "investigate" incidents of journalists during the demonstrations in the United States against racism and police violence.

Australia, Britain and Germany took an unusual step in expressing concern about US actions, and Australia was shocked by scenes showing two of its journalists being beaten in front of the White House.

"I know that some countries have expressed concern about journalists who said they have been subjected to inappropriate treatment," Pompeo said at a news conference in Washington. "We will do everything we can to investigate these allegations."

For its part, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, last week condemned the "unprecedented assault" against journalists in the United States during the mass protests against the killing of black American George Floyd asphyxiation under the knee of a white policeman kneeling on his neck when he was arrested.

It indicated information that some 200 journalists were subjected to or arrested while covering the demonstrations.