Radio-Canada reporter arrested for alleged harassment for requesting interview
Posted Mar 16, 2018 10:03:34 AM.
Last Updated Mar 16, 2018 12:37:55 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
GATINEAU, Que. – Radio-Canada says it is standing behind a reporter who was arrested this week after the subject of a story he was working on lodged a complaint with police.
The CBC’s French-language network says the complaint stems from calls and emails the reporter sent trying to get reaction to a story about the head of the chapter of Big Brothers, Big Sisters in western Quebec.
Gatineau police wouldn’t discuss the particulars of the case, saying in a statement they received a complaint from a woman Tuesday afternoon.
She claimed she feared for her safety after repeated communications from a man.
The reporter was arrested Tuesday and released on condition he not contact the complainant. He is to appear in late June.
Police say it is up to the Crown to decide whether charges would be filed.
Gatineau police said in the statement Thursday they consider freedom of the press to be paramount and insists the force did not intend to restrict a journalist from exercising his functions.
But the force adds it believes in respecting the rights of victims who wish to file a complaint so their case is treated impartially.
