Police revelation about crack video and Toronto's mayor vindicates unionized journalists

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2013 /CNW/ - Today's stunning police announcement of a recovered video that appears to show Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine vindicates the hard and courageous work done by Toronto Star reporters, among others, says the union representing journalists across Ontario.

"Our members have been called liars and frauds, and have been much abused in public," said Paul Morse, president of Unifor Local 87-M Southern Ontario Newsmedia Guild.

"But what goes around comes around," Morse said. "Chief Bill Blair's revelation that Toronto police have recovered a digital video file he says is consistent with what had been described in previous media reports shows what great journalism can accomplish."

The union also singled out the stellar in-depth investigative work done by Globe and Mail journalists who reported on Toronto Councillor Doug Ford's alleged ties to the drug world. Earlier this month, the Ontario Press Council dismissed complaints about the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star's reporting concerning the Ford brothers.

Reporters at both the Star and the Globe are members of Unifor Local 87-M.

"Imagine what ends up hidden from view without the efforts of our professional journalists," Morse said. "Journalists have demonstrated once again that they are a pillar of our democracy."

SOURCE: Southern Ontario Newsmedia Guild (CEP Local 87-M)

Paul Morse, 905-536-5650