MONTREAL – On Monday, Quebecor Media broadcaster TVA has issued a statement in response to incidents over the weekend where two of its reporters, Kariane Bourassa and Yves Poirier were jostled by anti-mask demonstrators in Montréal and Québec City.
“During those demonstrations against the obligation of wearing a mask in public places, some demonstrators have insulted, intimidated, and interfered with the work of TVA reporters covering the events in the field, therefore trying to compromise freedom of the press,” reads the statement, in French.
TVA’s management also condemned the actions of “two demonstrators who hugged a reporter, Kariane Bourassa against her will (pictured). TVA’s management condemns such acts that represents, not only intimidation against journalistic work and an assault on the integrity of a reporter but also the safety of our reporters and cameramen in the field.”
“That being said, we want to emphasize the professionalism of our reporters and our cameramen in such difficult situations. TVA Nouvelles will keep on working, whatever the issue, for the right of the public to have access to information.”
“The health and safety of our reporters and of all our employees are the priority of our enterprise. TVA’s management will take all appropriate actions and is now assessing its options. It presently is in communications with police authorities on this issue.”
“An unwanted ‘hug’ is no less worse than an insult or threats,” said Bourassa, the TVA reporter who was live on Quebecor’s LCN news channel when she was hugged in Quebec City. She tweeted in French. “Women journalists shouldn’t have to do their jobs by constantly looking over their shoulders to see if someone is going to enter ‘their bubble.’”
Québec’s Deputy Premier Genevieve Guilbault also condemned the incident.
“You have the right to speak up, but you certainly don’t have the right to endanger the health of others,” she said. “We will no longer tolerate situations like this.”
The Canadian Association of Journalists also condemned the attacks and called on police to take action. “The physical assault, harassment and intimidation of journalists have no place in a democratic society and constitute attacks against freedom of the press, which cannot be ignored,” said Brent Jolly, president of the CAJ.
“The CAJ also condemns the verbal harassment and intimidation reported against multiple teams of journalists covering protests this past weekend. At the same protest in Quebec City, Radio-Canada’s Hadi Hassin was the target of multiple insults by participants as they flaunted public health rules. On Saturday, TVA’s Yves Poirier had a beer can and a flurry of insults hurled at him by protesters intent on intimidating him while reporting on an anti-mask protest in Montreal,” adds the CAJ release.
During the pandemic, police have laid criminal charges against at least a half dozen Canadians for behaviour they said posed a direct risk of spreading the novel coronavirus to their members. Similar behaviour was observed during last weekend’s anti-mask protests, said the CAJ.
“The health and safety of journalists is paramount to a well-functioning democracy,” added Jolly. “It is our hope that the police will respond to the seriousness of these acts in the days to come.”
