News Photographers Association of Canada reacts to photojournalist assault

TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Members of the News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC) are extremely dismayed over recent events at a protest in Toronto, Ontario, where veteran photojournalist Stan Behal was physically assaulted. The Toronto Sun photographer was covering a demonstration when he was assaulted in front of a crowd, including members of the Toronto Police Service.

"We ask for the same respect, dignity and freedom to do our job as the Canadians we work so hard to inform enjoy in their workplaces," says Cole Burston, NPAC President.

"In an era where epithets like 'fake news' are undermining the integrity of  journalists around the world, we are seeing real, tangible effects of a concerted effort to establish distrust between the public and the press corps," says Burston. "A free press is necessary for an informed public. Photojournalists, reporters and editors are committed to a code of ethics built on truth, accuracy, humanity and accountability. The incident with Mr. Behal underscores the growing challenge our colleagues face in simply doing their jobs, and that's not acceptable."

Globally, photojournalists capture the faces, stories, and moments of the communities they profile. They are visual storytellers who bring us to the places that we can't be at to see for ourselves.

About NPAC:

NPAC celebrates and champions quality and ethical photography in journalism. Through a variety of efforts, the association challenges its members to better themselves and to continually raise the bar of industry standards.

This national organization includes over 300 professional press and documentary photographers, photo editors and photojournalism students from across Canada.

SOURCE News Photographers Association of Canada

Laura Ballance, Laura Ballance Media Group, [email protected], 604-771-5176 (mobile)