(CJFE/IFEX) – The following is an 11 October 2006 CJFE media release: CJFE CONDEMNS TARGETING OF REPORTER WHO EXPOSED SECURITY BREACH Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) condemns Transport Canada’s apparent targeting of Montreal reporter Fabrice de Pierrebourg in its investigation into security problems at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport in Montreal. De Pierrebourg, a journalist […]
(CJFE/IFEX) – The following is an 11 October 2006 CJFE media release:
CJFE CONDEMNS TARGETING OF REPORTER WHO EXPOSED SECURITY BREACH
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) condemns Transport Canada’s apparent targeting of Montreal reporter Fabrice de Pierrebourg in its investigation into security problems at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport in Montreal.
De Pierrebourg, a journalist for Le Journal de Montréal, reported last month that he was able to enter prohibited areas at the airport on seven different occasions. He wandered through cargo areas, touched food that was being readied for a flight, and “easily” obtained a Canadian Air Transport Security Authority uniform and a permanent pass to the airport without ever being questioned.
Sun Media broke the news of the lax security on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. In response, Montreal’s airport authority promised it would review security at the airport.
Transport Canada has launched an investigation into the airport’s security flaws and de Pierrebourg has been summoned for a meeting with Transport Canada officials, and told that he is a subject of the investigation. Le Journal de Montréal reported that if de Pierrebourg were charged and found guilty of violating security as part of the reporting, he could face a C$5,000 fine for each infraction.
“This is complete lunacy,” said CJFE President Arnold Amber. “De Pierrebourg should be congratulated for helping to expose the weaknesses of the system, not punished.”
It is obvious that de Pierrebourg’s investigation was in the public’s best interest, but instead, Transport Canada appears to be sending the message that journalists who blow the whistle on incompetent security are not welcome. CJFE urges Transport Canada to reconsider its actions in what looks to be outright intimidation of Fabrice de Pierrebourg.
CJFE is an association of more than 300 journalists, editors, publishers, producers, students and others who work to promote and defend free expression and press freedom in Canada and around the world.
