How bystander videos of law enforcement have shaped public understanding

Demonstrators record Seattle police officers during a march against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Seattle on Feb. 8, 2025. Bystander videos have become central to public understanding of many news events.

Bystander videos have shaped public perception for decades. The ability to now spread video widely can lead to real-time access and transparency, but experts say videos can't tell the full story.

(Image credit: Jason Redmond)