Want to know why the attribute of emit in EventEmitter is protected?

[fw6]

I need to emit a custom event externally.
So first of all I extend the interface of EditorEvents:

declare module '@tiptap/core' {
    interface EditorEvents {
        protect: { editor: Editor; };
        unprotect: { editor: Editor; };
    }
}

but when I emit the 'protect' event(editor.emit('protect', { editor })), prompt me the messageProperty 'emit' is protected and only accessible within class 'EventEmitter<T>' and its subclasses..
EventEmitter.emit
Is there any special reason to use it as a protected field? If not, can I replace it with public?

[fw6]

#3848