Juno News - September 23, 2019FULL EXCHANGE： Trudeau's staff blocks Andrew Lawton from covering Trudeau
Episode Stats
Words per Minute
224.11765
Summary
In this episode, we hear from a reporter who was barred from attending a government-accredited event because she is a member of the Canadian media. She explains why she was denied entry to the event and why she thinks she should be allowed in.
Transcript
00:00:00.000
Um, so, unfortunately we can't call you for this event.
00:00:04.000
Because we're accrediting journalists who are accredited by, um,
00:00:08.000
Well, this is Government of Canada accreditation from your conference.
00:00:14.000
But it was still accreditation, so it's proven...
00:00:17.000
And the world didn't collapse when I was there covering it.
00:00:19.000
I'm not saying the world would collapse, I'm just saying we've got to,
00:00:25.000
...so I apologize that no one was able to get back to you.
00:00:27.000
Are you going to reimburse me for my costs in getting here?
00:00:29.000
Because you could have, if you had any questions,
00:00:34.000
That's something that our headquarters is supposed to do.
00:00:38.000
Which didn't follow up on, so I apologize for that.
00:00:39.000
So what's the definition of journalist that you're working off of?
00:00:42.000
I mean, there's not a dictionary definition that we follow, obviously,
00:00:46.000
but there are different organizations that accredit journalists, as you know,
00:00:49.000
Press Gallery, Queen's Park Press Gallery, etc.
00:00:51.000
And I contacted the Press Gallery and they said they don't claim any jurisdiction for events.
00:00:59.000
There are all kinds of people who come and say that they're journalists for events,
00:01:01.000
but we obviously reserve the space and the access for journalists.
00:01:10.000
But right now, you cite yourself as a journalism fellow.
00:01:15.000
And if you go to the website, you can see journalism that I'm doing.
00:01:19.000
And you have other columnists and commentators that are here as well.
00:01:22.000
Their organizations are accredited by other organizations that are reputable organizations.
00:01:26.000
So I'm just curious, what are you or what is the Prime Minister afraid of will happen if I'm in there?
00:01:31.000
It's just that there are a lot of people who come and say that they ask for access to events and we accredit people based on...
00:01:42.000
Because I'm still unclear on why I'm being barred as a member of the Canadian media from covering an event.
00:01:55.000
You and I have corresponded in your capacity as a press secretary.
00:01:58.000
And you're still citing this vague definition of accreditation when in Canada there is no license to be a journalist.
00:02:08.000
No, but then anybody can call themselves a journalist.
00:02:15.000
But again, I am producing work that is consumed and this is very easily verified.
00:02:22.000
Unfortunately, lots of people who come and sometimes they write their own...
00:02:30.000
You know that I did a radio show for five years.
00:02:38.000
I'm doing my job and there are journalists who are accredited by organizations that credit
00:02:51.000
Is there a ban that exists for the entirety of the campaign?
00:02:54.000
Okay, well you're not letting me in there so it's a ban, correct?
00:03:00.000
So is this something that will extend the duration of the campaign?
00:03:07.000
So if I show up at the photo op in Hamilton tonight, am I going to be denied entry?
00:03:11.000
We will, for the space that is reserved for media, for journalists, everybody who is
00:03:16.000
an accredited journalist will be allowed into that.
00:03:20.000
There are lots of people who will come and say, I know, I know.
00:03:24.000
If they can't show any form of accreditation that actually validates that, then unfortunately
00:03:29.000
Well, look, I mean, this is more than the gentleman from the Indian outlet had, which
00:03:32.000
is the Government of Canada issued media credential.
00:03:35.000
But I'm curious, what would satisfy your expectation of accreditation in the future?
00:03:45.000
It's a huge inconvenience for you and I get that.
00:03:47.000
I know you've got to work, so what can I do for future events?
00:03:51.000
I'll think about it and we can follow up after this.