Russian journalist keeps talking after being slapped by protester

A Russian reporter has been slapped during an on-camera piece covering violent protests in Paris.

Anna Baranova, a correspondent for Russia Today, showed unbelievable composure after the masked thug came up behind her and hit her in the head.

Another protester then invaded her space to clap sarcastically.

She adjusted her helmet and blinked a couple of times, pausing for a second to regain her train of thought, before finishing the piece.

"Ah Jaysus dude. The restraint you show is a credit to yourself. Did anyone grab the little bastard?" asked Ms Baranova's RT colleague Peter Oliver on Facebook.

It is not known if the masked slapper was among the 87 arrested in Paris during this week's protests.

Demonstrators have rallied against changes to labour laws championed by socialist president Francois Hollande.

Opponents of the labour reform, billed as an effort to reduce chronic unemployment, which stands at 10 percent, say it will threaten cherished rights and deepen job insecurity for young people.

Among the issues are measures to make it easier to lay off workers, and whether employers should still be allowed to shed workers if conditions are depressed in their overseas operations and not just in France.