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Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Harassing reporters should not be normal
Opinion The Globe and Mail's Carrie Tait has been doing exemplary work reporting on Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the way Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has treated serious allegations of political interference in that province's health system. Her reporting has included breaking stories on a senior health executive, Athana Mentzelopoulos, who was fired as chief executive of Alberta Health Services. Mentzelopoulos says in a lawsuit against the province that she was fired after investigating questionable contracts by AHS — the Smith government maintains Mentzelopoulos was fired for incompetence. Tait also reported on the firing of the AHS board by the Alberta government on the day the board was to review a report by investigators about improper activity involving AHS. That, and other reporting, has certainly made Tait unpopular with Smith, the Alberta government, and with the governing United Conservative Party. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Alberta Premier Danielle Smith But now, Tait is herself news. How? Because of a phantom Twitter/X account — now suspended — that posted a series of clandestinely obtained photographs of Tait, sometimes with other people she was meeting with, and announced that it would 'start exposing Carrie Tait's sources in the continuing health care saga. You are not going to want to miss this!' If you think that sounds like an attempt to derail a media investigation into questionable government conduct, you'd be exactly right. It's also clearly harassment, and it really makes you stop and wonder who exactly would benefit from trying to derail the Globe and Mail's coverage. The move is certainly getting broad condemnation, including from the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ). 'These kinds of intimidation tactics have no place in a democratic society,' said CAJ president Brent Jolly in a written statement. 'They are assaults on the very foundations of press freedom that are enshrined in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms … Targeting a journalist for simply doing their job is a cowardly act that endangers not only the reporter, but also the vital public interest work that journalism represents. Carrie Tait should be saluted for her work — not spoofed or surveilled.' And that's why we're writing about the work being done by a competitor of ours — and work being done in a province other than our own as well. Because the issue is one that strikes at the heart of what we do — providing objective journalism and commentary that, almost necessarily, occasionally displeases governments. That work should be done without the fear of threats and attacks — and an attack on Tait, if allowed to stand as normal practice, is an attack on all journalists. That leaves the question of who's doing the attack. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. Once again — who would benefit from derailing Tait's work? The Alberta government insists they're not involved — but at the same time, at first blush, that province's premier seemed to feel the issue was less than serious. Asked about the surveillance by a Globe and Mail reporter at a meeting of Canada's premiers in Huntsville last week, Smith said 'I'm not talking about that' — and laughed as she walked away. Later, she appeared to take the issue more seriously, telling CTV News that, 'No one should be harassing anybody, and I don't comment on sock puppet accounts … I have no idea who's behind it, and so if there's criminal harassment, I hope that the RCMP finds them, punishes them to the full extent of the law.' It's hard not to agree with Smith, at least on that last point. There are clearly things going on in Alberta provincial politics that are deeply wrong, and anyone involved in this personal attack should certainly face consequences.
Cision Canada
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Announcing the 2025 EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellows
OTTAWA, ON, June 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The Delegation of the European Union to Canada and the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) are thrilled to announce the laureates of the 2025 EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship. The 2025 winners are: Aurélie Lachapelle (Montréal, Québec) for her story Tension en Allemagne à quelques jours du scrutin. In her well-researched piece, Aurélie tackles federal elections in the most populated EU Member State and shows journalistic rigor and talent in her reporting style. Liam Razzell (Victoria, British Columbia) for his report Could Canada join the European Union? A University of Victoria Professor thinks not. Liam approaches a timely subject in the current geopolitical context and proves solid journalistic and research skills. Maia Tustonic (Ottawa, Ontario) for her story ' Like-minded partner:' EU leaders congratulate Carney, call for closer ties. Maia pens a reaction piece offering a wide range of views, demonstrating journalistic objectivity and good knowledge of the EU's institutional structure and EU-Canada priorities. Jury members included: Hugo Rodrigues, CAJ representative and managing editor of the Cornwall Standard Freeholder Leslie MacKinnon, journalist Manon Cornellier, journalist and commentator Patrick Leblond, professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa Diodora Bucur, Press Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Canada The three laureates will participate in a weeklong study tour of European Union institutions in Brussels in November 2025. The Delegation of the European Union and CAJ are glad to partner on this journalism initiative that aims to assist young Canadians reach their career goals and form life-long friendships with Europeans. Study tour expenses are paid for by the Delegation of the European Union to Canada. Winners also benefit from a one-year CAJ membership or one-year membership renewal. Thank you to all those who expressed an interest and entered the contest, and encourage them to apply again next year. The 2026 edition will be launched in March 2026. Established in 1976, the Delegation of the European Union to Canada is a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and, as such, the natural contact point in Canada between the EU and the Canadian authorities. It also has a strong public diplomacy mandate designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the European Union as well as EU-Canada relations. The Canadian Association of Journalists is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy. Follow us @EUinCanada LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Instagram SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists
Vancouver Sun
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Postmedia's Kim Bolan one of three honoured for courageous reporting by Canadian Association of Journalists
Postmedia News reporter Kim Bolan was one of three Canadian journalists recognized at an awards ceremony in Calgary this weekend for their contributions to the craft. The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) announced that Bolan, Daniel Renaud and David Pugliese won the prestigious Charles Bury President's Award. 'Kim, Daniel and David have all exhibited incredible levels of courage and determination to persevere through unprecedented challenges to tell stories that matter,' said CAJ president Brent Jolly. 'They are living proof that even in today's fragmented age, journalism matters. The power of the pen to tell the truth and expose wrongdoing is an endeavour that is so vital to the proper functioning of our society.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Bolan has reported for the Vancouver Sun since 1984. She has reported on wars in El Salvador, Guatemala and Afghanistan, covered the Air India terrorist attack and its aftermath, and spent much of her career 'shining a spotlight on a long list of minority, women's, education and social service issues,' said the CAJ in a news release on Sunday. Bolan was also the first Canadian to win the International Women's Media Foundation's Courage in Journalism Award in 1999. 'Despite numerous threats on her life over the past 40 years from gangs and militant groups, Bolan's commitment to the craft has been unwavering,' Jolly said. Renaud, who works for La Presse in Montreal, was honoured after reports surfaced last year that chronicled how he had been targeted for assassination for reporting on organized crime in 2021. Pugliese has been with Postmedia's Ottawa Citizen for more than 40 years and specializes in covering the ever-secretive Department of National Defence. Last year, he was accused of being a paid KGB agent in the 1980s by a former federal cabinet minister testifying at a House of Commons committee meeting on Russian political interference. Jolly called the allegations, which have never been repeated outside Parliament, 'nothing more than a McCarthy-esque smear job.' The Charles Bury Award was presented last year to the Committee to Protect Journalists for their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of journalists who work in some of the most dangerous environments around the world. The annual award recognizes both organizations and individual journalists for contributing to a free press. jruttle@
Ottawa Citizen
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Citizen's Pugliese one of three recipients of prestigious award
Article content The Ottawa Citizen's David Pugliese, fellow Postmedia journalist Kim Bolan and Daniel Renaud were named recipients of the Canadian Association of Journalist's Charles Bury President's Award. Article content Article content 'Kim, Daniel and David have all exhibited incredible levels of courage and determination to persevere through unprecedented challenges to tell stories that matter,' said Brent Jolly, CAJ president, in a speech announcing the awards in Calgary. 'They are living proof that even in today's fragmented age, journalism matters. The power of the pen to tell the truth and expose wrongdoing is an endeavour that is so vital to the proper functioning of our society.' The association noted that Pugliese has spent more than 40 years working at the Ottawa Citizen, 'where he specializes in covering one of Canada's most secretive government departments, the Department of National Defence.' Late in 2024, Pugliese was accused by former federal cabinet minister Chris Alexander of being a paid KGB agent in the 1980s. At the time of the comments, Alexander was testifying, under privilege, before a House of Commons committee meeting on Russian interference and disinformation campaigns. Alexander has never repeated the claims in a forum where he could be sued for defamation. 'These allegations were nothing more than a McCarthy-esque smear job,' the CAJ's Jolly said. 'But what they show us is a shift in tactics to spread disinformation. Rather than question the accuracy of a deeply reported investigative story, bad actors now attack a journalist's credibility in an effort to impune critical inquiry. 'So, if you can't refute the truth, then the next best course of action is to attack the messenger.' Bolan, meanwhile, has been a reporter at the Vancouver Sun since 1984. During that time, she has reported internationally on wars in El Salvador, Guatemala and Afghanistan. Domestically, she has covered the Air India story from the night it happened on June 23, 1985. She has also spent her career shining a spotlight on a long list of minority, women's, education, and social service issues. 'Despite numerous threats on her life over the past 40 years from gangs and militant groups, Bolan's commitment to the craft has been unwavering,' Jolly said. Renaud specializes in reporting on organized crime at La Presse. He was recognized after a report came to light late last year that chronicled how he had been targeted for assassination in organized crime in 2021. In Nov. 2024, La Presse reported that Frédérick Silva, a professional killer-turned-police informer, placed a $100,000 bounty on Renaud's life while he was covering Silva's trial for three murders. 'Renaud's experience was a shocking revelation that should send a chill down the spine of every journalist in Canada,' Jolly said. 'But even when his life was on the line, he did not cower to pressure. He maintained his wherewithal and resolve and did his job, which was to shine a light on the clandestine operations of organized crime.'
Malaysian Reserve
01-06-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
The Canadian Association of Journalists celebrates three journalists for their courage, perseverance and dedication to public service journalism with the annual Charles Bury Award
CALGARY, AB, May 31, 2025 /CNW/ – The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) announced that journalists Kim Bolan, Daniel Renaud, and David Pugliese have been recognized with this year's prestigious Charles Bury President's Award at the annual CAJ Awards ceremony held earlier this evening in downtown Calgary. 'Kim, Daniel and David have all exhibited incredible levels of courage and determination to persevere through unprecedented challenges to tell stories that matter,' said Brent Jolly, CAJ president, in a speech announcing the awards. 'They are living proof that even in today's fragmented age, journalism matters. The power of the pen to tell the truth and expose wrongdoing is an endeavour that is so vital to the proper functioning of our society.' Bolan has been a reporter at the Vancouver Sun since 1984. During that time, she has reported internationally on wars in El Salvador, Guatemala and Afghanistan. Domestically, she has covered the Air India story from the night it happened on June 23, 1985. She has also spent her career shining a spotlight on a long list of minority, women's, education, and social service issues. Bolan was also the first Canadian to win the International Women's Media Foundation's Courage in Journalism Award in 1999. 'Despite numerous threats on her life over the past 40 years from gangs and militant groups, Bolan's commitment to the craft has been unwavering,' Jolly said. Renaud is a reporter who specializes in reporting on organized crime at La Presse. He was recognized after a report came to light late last year that chronicled how he had been targeted for assassination in organized crime in 2021. In Nov 2024, La Presse reported that Frédérick Silva, a professional killer-turned-police informer, placed a $100,000 bounty on Renaud's life while he was covering Silva's trial for three murders. Earlier this year, Renaud was recognized by World Press Freedom Canada with its annual Press Freedom Award. 'Renaud's experience was a shocking revelation that should send a chill down the spine of every journalist in Canada,' Jolly said. 'But even when his life was on the line, he did not cower to pressure. He maintained his wherewithal and resolve and did his job, which was to shine a light on the clandestine operations of organized crime.' Pugliese has spent more than 40 years working at the Ottawa Citizen, where he specializes in covering one of Canada's most secretive government departments – the Department of National Defence. Late last October, Pugliese was accused of being a paid KGB agent in the 1980s by Chris Alexander, a former federal cabinet minister. At the time of the comments, Alexander was testifying, under privilege, before a House of Commons committee meeting on Russian interference and disinformation campaigns. Alexander has never repeated the claims in a forum where he could be sued for defamation. 'These allegations were nothing more than a McCarthy-esque smear job,' Jolly said. 'But what they show us is a shift in tactics to spread disinformation. Rather than question the accuracy of a deeply reported investigative story, bad actors now attack a journalist's credibility in an effort to impune critical inquiry. So, if you can't refute the truth, then the next best course of action is to attack the messenger.' Last year, the Charles Bury Award was presented to the Committee to Protect Journalists for their continued commitment to ensuring the safety and security of journalists who work in some of the most dangerous environments around the world. Previous winners of the Bury Award include: journalists Jerome Turner, Jessie Winter, and Amber Bracken; the late Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi and Journal de Montréal crime reporter Michel Auger; and Radio-Canada investigative reporter Marie-Maude Denis. Organizations that have won the Bury Award include: The Aboriginal People's Television Network, J-Source, Massey College and the Canadian Media Lawyers Association. The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy.
