New York Times reporter David W. Dunlap, apparently covering the illegal marketing campaigns beat for the paper, pretty much got his ass handed to him and his camera destroyed when he photographed Island Def Jam street workers hanging Rocko posters on lampposts recently.

Dunlap gives a first-person, blow-by-blow account of the March 14th incident on the Times' metro blog, City Room. "I began photographing the poster operation. After about two minutes, one man asked me why I was taking pictures. "Because what you're doing is illegal," I replied. He answered, "Breaking cameras is illegal, too, but if you don't stop taking pictures, I'll break your camera."

So Dunlap walked across the street and started taking pictures of other Rocko posters, but not for long. "The approach came so swiftly, I cannot even say whether it was from in front or behind. But I do remember a furious face inches away from mine...The next few minutes are -- as they say -- a blur. I was suddenly on my back on the sidewalk, near the curb, trying to hold on to my camera and fend of my assailant, with my right leg pressed against his chest." Here's what's perplexing: This is a Times reporter taking pictures of posters that will surely run on its web site and/or print edition. Why not let him click away. Doesn't this thug know that any publicity is good publicity?

The street worker succeeded in destroying his camera and tearing up his notebook. However, the camera's memory card survived. And Dunlap, at least by his account, doesn't seem too shaken by the event. However, it seems this attacker knocked the logic right out Dunlap's ass. When cops arrived post-ass kicking, Dunlap refused to press charges even though he ended up with a busted camera, torn pages from his sacred, trusted notebook, and a four-inch bruise on his knee.

"I'm not inclined to press charges. While my assailant's actions were frightening, they resulted in part from what he interpreted as provocation: that is my taking pictures after he explicitly warned me not to. He did not take my wallet, cash or briefcase; something he could have easily done while I was on the ground. Nor do I recall him using much more force than was needed to wrest the camera from me. He didn't kick me gratuitously when I was down. He did what he threatened to do, but no more. "

Wow, this sounds like the kindest most restrained beatdown of all time. What a peach this thug turned out to be! He only gave you what you deserved! It seems like you're missing something, David. This was an illegal assault, and you're a reporter who has every right to take photos of him, and write down everything he does.  What's with the blaming-the-victim bit? March down to Island Def Jam with some cops and put some bracelets on this guy. 

[New York Times]