The moment Darnella Frazier hit record, she proved anyone can hold power to account

 With the single tap of a touchscreen, Darnella Frazier captured a historic moment and thrust citizen journalism into the spotlight.

The then-17-year-old Minneapolis high school student was walking to the store with her cousin on what should have been a normal Monday evening. Then, she saw police restraining a man on the pavement. She quickly pulled out her phone and began recording.

That man was George Floyd.

Frazier eventually earned a citation from the Pulitzer Prize Board for her 10 minute and 9 second video of police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd’s neck as Floyd pleaded for his life.

Her video symbolized the power of citizen journalism, demonstrating that in an era where everyone has a camera, anyone can hold power to account.


This video is part of The Poynter 50, a series reflecting on 50 moments and people that shaped journalism over the past half-century — and continue to influence its future. As Poynter celebrates its 50th anniversary, we examine how the media landscape has evolved and what it means for the next era of news.