Australian journalists attack outside White House raised with US government

Los Angeles: The Australian embassy in Washington DC has reached out to the US State Department after a Network Seven reporter and cameraman were beaten by police outside the White House.

Australian Ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said on Tuesday he was "aware of the treatment" inflicted on Amelia Brace and Tim Myers.

A screen-capture taken from video shows Network Seven cameraman Tim Myers and reporter Amelia Brace as they were assaulted by police officers while covering protests outside the White House.Credit: AP

Brace was clubbed with a truncheon and Myers hit with a riot shield and punched in the face while covering peaceful protests in Washington DC's Lafayette Square on Monday.

Brace told Sunrise on Wednesday morning that the pair were feeling flat and "a bit worse for wear" after the adrenaline had worn off.

She has bruising across her shoulders and welts from the rubber bullets, likening her injuries to being shot too closely with a paintball gun.

"It was an absolutely terrifying experience but we came through it together," Brace said.

"We are providing consular support to the Australian citizens involved and my team will continue to check on their wellbeing," Sinodinos said.

"I understand that Channel 7 will make a formal police complaint asking to have the matter investigated.

"We are in discussion with the State Department and they have offered assistance to identify where the complaint should be targeted.

Australia's Ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos. Credit: Facebook

"As Australia's Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, emphasised overnight, Australia is always supportive of people's right to peaceful protest and we encourage all involved to exercise restraint and to avoid violence."

Earlier, the US Ambassador to Australia responded to the footage of police assaulting Channel Seven journalists outside the White House.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Arthur B Culvahouse jnr wrote that "freedom of the press is a right Australians and Americans hold dear".

"We take mistreatment of journalists seriously, as do all who take democracy seriously," he said in a statement shared by the US Embassy in Canberra.

The Ambassador continued: "We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting journalists and guaranteeing equal justice under law for all."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the attack as troubling and has asked for an investigation.

Mr Morrison has spoken to Seven to check on the crew's welfare and offer his government's support, should they wish to pursue a formal complaint against police through the Australian embassy.

He also ordered the embassy to investigate the incident and register Australia's "strong concerns" with local authorities.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, saying they were simply doing their jobs.

Footage shows Channel Seven cameraman Tim Myers being punched by a police officer while covering protests outside the White House.

"In a democratic society the role of the media is critical, and it's important the media are able to report on events, including crises such as we're seeing in the United States, free from harassment," he told reporters.

"The violence that has occurred towards members of the media is completely unacceptable."

Cabinet minister Greg Hunt said the federal government was always concerned about the wellbeing of Australians overseas.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is intensely focused on the safety and welfare of Australians," he told reporters.

A Nine Network crew was detained and searched by Minneapolis Police on Monday, and exposed to tear gas on Tuesday.

Reporter Tim Arvier said his cameraman and security guard were handcuffed but the officers were respectful and soon let the Australian crew go.

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has written to the US ambassador in Canberra to protest the attacks on journalists covering the civil unrest.

The union said Donald Trump's anti-media rhetoric had contributed to law enforcement agencies and protesters openly targeting journalists.

On Tuesday night, just after the 8pm curfew came into effect, New York City police officers surrounded, shoved and yelled expletives at two Associated Press journalists covering protests.

Dozens of journalists have reported being targeted by police officers while covering the protests, even after they had identified themselves as members of the press.

AAP with Rachel Eddie