The FPJQ Outaouais is outraged by Mayor Newberry’s comments on CHIP 101.9

The FPJQ Outaouais is outraged by Mayor Newberry’s comments on CHIP 101.9

The Outaouais section of the Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec (FPJQ), took a position following the statements made by the Mayor of Île-du-Grand-Calumet, Serge Newberry, at the municipal meeting in late October.

In a statement issued yesterday on the FPJQ’s website, the Outaouais sector reviewed the information made public by CHIP 101.9 regarding the properties owned by Mayor Newberry in the Îles Lafontaine area and the territory targeted for the creation of a National Park.

During the October meeting, Mayor Newberry said it was the radio (CHIP 101.9) that had a conflict of interest.

The FPJQ Outaouais explained that it contacted Mayor Newberry to clarify this statement. The FPJQ Outaouais said that Mayor Newberry finally retracted and admitted that CHIP 101.9 was not in a conflict of interest. He also refused to make a public statement to that effect.

The FPJQ Outaouais reminded elected officials that in a democratic society such as our own, freedom of the press is a fundamental right. “In a democracy, journalists must be able to do their job and serve the public without pressure. Tackling them by trying to undermine their credibility, or in any other way, is tantamount to attack the public’s right to information”, said the president of FPJQ Outaouais, Alexandra Angers.

Le texte intégral de la FPJQ est disponible ici.