CAJ condemns arrest of Radio-Canada reporter
OTTAWA, March 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists condemns the actions of the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau for arresting Radio-Canada reporter Antoine Trépanier for alleged criminal harassment.
Trépanier was arrested by police on March 13 after a woman he had repeatedly approached for comment on a story he was reporting filed a police complaint. Police have yet to file charges, and Trépanier has been released after promising to appear in court—and on the condition that he not contact the complainant. His employer says the complaint has no grounds.
"Pursuing comment from the key subject in a story is the basis of responsible journalism," said CAJ president Nick Taylor-Vaisey. "The detention of a journalist in the process of doing his job bringing a matter of public interest to the fore, is troubling."
The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing about 600 members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide public-interest advocacy and high-quality professional development for its members.
SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists
Nick Taylor-Vaisey, CAJ president, 647-968-2393, [email protected]
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