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This is not to suggest that journalists should get special treatment but to show that they are getting bad treatment in order to prevent them from getting certain news stories out to the people.-Ed.
ALERT - CANADA
The French version follows. La version francaise suit.
25 October 2000
SOURCE: Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec (FPJQ), Montréal
(FPJQ/IFEX) - On 23 October 2000, journalists covering the demonstration against the G-20 Summit once again had a brush with police. The G-20 brings together finance ministers from twenty countries representing sixty-five percent of the world's population. As the anti-riot squad moved to surround demonstrators, police on horseback began driving back members of the press who were covering the event.
Without warning, journalists, photographers and cameramen were forced to leave the site of the demonstration, and were herded into an empty parking lot on the pretext that they were interfering. When one of the journalists protested, making reference to freedom of the press, one of the police officers replied: "I don't care!". Another police officer on horseback said that she had had enough of journalists, that she was angry and that "you will see what I can do once I decide to act."
Although he showed his FPJQ press card and his accreditation for the G-20 Summit, an accredited photographer was detained. When the police wagon arrived, he was released but told not to return unless he wanted to suffer the same treatment as the demonstrators.
The FPJQ is concerned about the arrogance of the Montreal police with regard to journalists who choose to cover events themselves rather than relying on official police reports. With only a few weeks remaining before the FPJQ's annual convention, where one of the workshops will focus on the relations between police and journalists, this new incident augers badly for freedom of the press in Quebec.
For further information, contact Jane McElhone at
the FPJQ, 1012, av.
Mont-Royal Est, suite 105, Montreal, Quebec, H2J 1X6 Canada,
tel: +1 514 597 4482 / +1 514 522 6142,
fax: +1 514 522 6071,
e-mail: fpjq@cam.org,
Internet: Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of the FPJQ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit the FPJQ.
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ALERTE - CANADA
IFEX - Nouvelles de la communauté internationale de défense de la liberté
d'expression
Le 25 octobre 2000
SOURCE: Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec (FPJQ), Montréal
(FPJQ/IFEX) - Encore une fois, le 23 octobre 2000, les journalistes qui couvraient la manifestation contre une réunion du G-20 ont eu maille à partir avec la police de Montréal. Le G-20 réunit les ministres des finances de vingt pays qui répresentent 65% de la population mondiale. Au moment où un groupe de manifestants étaient encerclés par les forces anti-émeute, les policiers repoussaient les représentants de la presse qui assistaient à l'événement.
Sans préavis, les journalistes, les photographes et les caméramans ont été contraints de quitter les lieux, poussés par la cavalerie. On les a même refoulés au fond d'un stationnement où il n'y avait aucun manifestant sous prétexte qu'ils dérangeaient. Interpellé par un journaliste qui clamait le droit à la liberté de presse tel que prévu aux chartes des droits et libertés, l'un des policiers a eu cette réplique : "On s'en fout". Une autre policière à cheval a fait savoir qu'elle en avait assez de ces journalistes, qu'elle était fâchée et "qu'on allait voir ce qu'elle pouvait faire quand elle décidait de réagir".
Un photographe de presse, dûment accrédité, a été arrêté même s'il portait sa carte de presse de la FPJQ et son accréditation pour le G-20. Au moment où le fourgon cellulaire est arrivé, un supérieur des policiers a ordonné qu'on le laisse aller tout en spécifiant que s'il s'avisait de revenir, il aurait droit au même traitement que les manifestants.
La FPJQ ne peut que s'inquiéter de l'arrogance des policiers à l'égard des journalistes qui ne veulent pas se contenter de la version du porte-parole de la police mais qui veulent constater d'eux-mêmes comment se déroulent les événements.
A quelques semaines du congrès annuel de la FPJQ, où l'un des ateliers portera sur les relations entre la presse et la police, ce nouvel incident n'augure rien de bon pour la liberté de presse.
Pour plus de renseignements, contacter Jane McElhone à
la FPJQ, 1012, av.
Mont-Royal Est, bureau 105,
Montréal, Québec, H2J 1X6 Canada,
tél: +1 514
597 4482 / +1 514 522 6142, téléc: +1 514 522 6071,
courrier électronique: fpjq@cam.org
Internet: fpjq.org
La FPJQ est responsable de toute information contenue dans cette alerte. En citant cette information, prière de bien vouloir l'attribuer à la FPJQ.
DIFFUSÉ(E) PAR LE SECRÉTARIAT DU RÉSEAU IFEX,From The Star
Oct 26, 21:53 EDT
By John Duncanson
Toronto Star Staff Reporter
Chief Julian Fantino has launched a review into the conduct of officers who attended a Wednesday court appearance for four colleagues charged with manslaughter in the death of Otto Vass.
The probe follows complaints by media representatives that they were intimidated, sworn at and pushed by police who were trying to prevent them from taking pictures of the accused officers leaving Old City Hall after their release by a judge.
''I'm concerned about any of these issues, and I'm looking into it,'' Fantino told reporters following Thursday's police board meeting.
But Fantino refused to provide details about the review or its scope, including if it will look into whether officers attending the court were on- or off-duty.
Norm Gardner, chair of the police services board, said he has no firsthand knowledge about what happened at the courthouse but supports a review by Fantino.
''I think that if, in fact, there's any proof of (misconduct), the chief will ensure that these people understand that, if they expect the public to look to them as professionals and respect them, they have to act accordingly,'' Gardner said.
Tensions were running high in the police ranks when constables Robert LeMaitre, Phillip Duncan, Nam-Nhat Le and Filippo Bevilacqua appeared in court after they were charged with manslaughter by the province's special investigations unit.
Vass, 55, died following an Aug. 9 confrontation with four 14 Division officers outside a 7-Eleven store at College St. and Lansdowne Ave.
Dozens of officers, many in uniform, descended on the courthouse Wednesday to show their support. Some media members complained that when the four accused officers left the courthouse in a van, police officers blocked their cameras. Some said they were sworn at and even pushed to keep them away from the van.
Thursday, several protesters showed up at the police services board meeting and held up placards during a budget presentation to the board.
One read: ''Chief Fantino why are your cops intimidating the media and politicians.'' Another said: ''Support victims not criminals. Justice for Otto Vass!''
The board and police brass ignored the protesters, who finally got up and left.
Outside the board meeting, one protester said they will keep coming to monthly board meetings until they get some answers from the force and the civilians that oversee it.
''We have questions for the police service and we're not getting answers, members of the public are not getting answers,'' Anna Willats said.
''People are increasingly intimidated by the police.'' Willats was particularly upset, she said, by what happened to the media during Wednesday's court appearance.
''When police officers are charged with incredibly serious crimes, fellow officers are holding the media back from getting pictures,'' she said.
''When someone from a poor community, or the black community, is accused of a crime, cops invite the media in to point their cameras two inches from that person's face.''
Reprinted under the Fair Use doctrine of international copyright law.
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This page created October 28, 2000
