ST. JOHN’S, NL – Last week a government minister accused a local media outlet of not telling the truth. Journalists have an important role in our democracy; they ask tough questions and hold power to account.
Journalists are also guided by a set of professional ethics and guiding principles, chiefly accuracy, fairness, and independence. When those that hold seats of power engage in rhetoric disparaging journalism and reporting it does not just hurt trust in media; it damages our democracy.
Premier Tony Wakeham’s response to the allegations and the subsequent unavailability of his Minister to answer these comments was, “Let’s set the record straight. I spoke to the media yesterday; I held a scrum out in the lobby of Confederation Building here yesterday. I spoke to the media. And we will speak, and my ministers will speak any time in the media when we have something to tell them…”
“The Premier and his ministers should be accountable to the people of the province,” says NAPE President Jerry Earle. “That means not only speaking when you have something to say but when the people have questions and are seeking answers.”
Journalists and NAPE share one thing in common. We ask tough questions to our elected officials. We ask them to answer for their decisions and the impacts they have on all Newfoundland and Labradorians. We call on Premier Wakeham and his Ministers to engage openly and honestly with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and quit the attacks and attempts to vilify journalists who have important work to do.
Workers in our province are suffering from an affordability crisis. Workers in our Health Care system are burnt out from working short. Education workers across the province are concerned about their safety and the safety of the students they work with.
Workers deserve answers, not distractions.
We call on the Premier and his ministers to stop the accusations against our local Newfoundland and Labrador journalists and conduct themselves in a manner that enhances public confidence in our democracy.
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For further information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Maria Glavine, Communications and Campaigns Coordinator
mglavine@nape.ca
709 853 4123
Dan Williams, Communications and research Officer
dwilliams@nape.ca
709 325 4224
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