Anderson Cooper, courtesy of Creative Commons

Several journalists of disparate nationalities and from multiple news agencies, including CNN's Anderson Cooper, have been subjected to violent treatment by unruly mobs in Egypt.

In an update by the New York Times featuring an upload of Cooper’s report for CNN, Cooper described the attack on his crew.  He said Pro-Mubarak supporters punched him in the head and tried to wrest the camera from his cameraman while Cooper himself caught events on a Flip camera.  According to the New York Times Cooper said that “the Egyptian military is just standing by.”

“We are concerned about detentions and attacks on news media in Egypt,” tweeted Philip J. Crowley, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.  “The civil society that Egypt wants to build includes a free press.”

Nor are American journalists the only members of the press in danger.  The New York Times reports Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet has reported that two of its reporters were attacked by a mob and held by soldiers.  Similar stories of violence have been told by Australian reporter Hamish Macdonald who tweeted, “Colleague just saw heavily beaten journalist in the elevator of our hotel.”

“Tried filming on bridge into sq. Mob surrounded us, chased us into car shouting that they hate America - kicked in doors & broke windshield,” reported Christiane Amanpour of ABC via Twitter.

News outlets worldwide, including the Bangkok Post and Jerusalem Post are also reporting the violence against journalists.

There have been reports of attacks by anti-Mubarak protesters against Al-Jazeera by the New York Times as well.

This latest violence against journalists heightens the international sense of urgency that seems to be arising regarding the unrest in Egypt. 

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the attacks on peaceful protestors unacceptable.

To reach Braden Holly, click here.

Follow him on Twitter @Bholly01.