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He could file charges just for being threatened. Grabbing a man by the collar is assault.
Quoting: Instant Karma Well the important part is that he didn't call the cops the first time. He threatened to, but continued to harass the old man.
The reporter was just asking questions on public property (not private: a place of business). Completely covered by the First Amendment. Getting grabbed by the collar and later punched in the face, completely illegal and a felony.
Places of business are private property.
Though they are open publicly, during hours of operation, to customers.
In order for the press or media to gather news while on private property, they must first obtain explicit consent from either law enforcement or the property owner.
I see two different situations in this video.
First, the reporter is on public property, as it seems. What happened there, his collar being grabbed, was enough to have the police called for his defense and protection. He made a threat to call the police, the store owner agreed to have them called.. The police were not called. They were used as a threat for compliance for a man to act against his own best interest.
Then the reporter followed the owner onto private property, which may be considered public only to those who are welcome during hours in which the store is
Open for business. The man had just unlocked the door, the store was not yet open. Then the reporter placed his hand on said property, opening the door in order to enter without consent.
Do you see why this would look bad in court for the reporter? If someone attacked or threatened to attack you, you do not follow them or attempt to follow them onto private property.
The press must first get explicit permission or "licence" to be on private property.
I would assume the reporter did not do that judging by the owners reaction, but that is something we do not know as viewers.
