>But it's easy to understand why protesters use them: to shape the narrative the country sees about the protests.

That is a very biased view. The reality is that photo and film is used to target people by the government even if you are at a peaceful protest (I'm not talking about rioters). Hence the hyperbolic "filming equals death" thing. Getting filmed or having your picture taken at a protest in the States is on the brink of becoming dangerous. The US checks 11 out of the 13 signs of fascism. After next election, likely 12 or all 13.