What is a protest?

Regarding the violence currently gripping France, I have one thing to say: if you are burning cars, attacking police, looting stores, burning schools, and destroying phone boots, while - in the words of the French Communist Party - having "no political significance" then you are not a protester. You are a rioter. Reuters and AFP seem to think that accurately describing individuals who are engaged in vile acts vilifies the individuals. It is not the description of the individuals but rather the acts themselves while vilifies the perpetrators. They are not protesters. They are rioters. Substituting the more accurately term, "rioter," for the less accurate term, "protester," reduces the accuracy of the article and substitutes political correctness for journalistic integrity.