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w w w .insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 9, 2 0 1 7 | 6 Editorial Intimidation won't work A group of disgruntled city councillors in Brampton seem to be confusing freedom of the press with freedom from the press. Angry with recent coverage by the local newspaper, some councillors are proposing a motion to scrutinize the media' s questioning of elected officials. Its a thinlyveiled attempt to intimidate reporters. The motion calls for all media inquiries to be posted on the city website along with provided responses. Further, councillors want future meeting agendas to include time to respond to media coverage. Meanwhile, at least one member of Brampton coun cil has also taken to Twitter, suggesting the local paper isn't providing "real news." If it sounds reminiscent of the antics of President Donald Trump and his staff, that' s because there' s a strong and troubling parallel. This is all in reaction to assertive reporting critical of the city' s leadership. Councillors say they have put the press on notice. Such a statement demonstrates a blatant disregard for, or ignorance of, the checks and balances already strong ly entrenched in the Canadian media system. Accountability starts with the news outlet itself. Com plaints can be made directly to a journalist, editor, or publisher. If the response is unsatisfactory, individuals can contact the press council. The National NewsMedia Council deals with matters concerning fairness of coverage, relevance, balance and accuracy. Its members (including this newspaper) abide by its decisions. It' sa free and open process for the public. When media make a mistake, we own it very public ly. Everyone cannot say that. And there is the law. Can ada has very strict libel laws to protect the reputation of individuals and organizations from false and derogatory remarks. Media are bound by these laws. There have been no formal complaints made regard ing recent coverage of Brampton. Instead, this is about a group of councillors lashing out because they are upset with what strong local reporting has unearthed. Strong, independent reporting on behalf of the public has led to truthful and unflattering accounts of what has been transpiring at city hall. These councillors forget media are not accountable to elected officials, but to the pub lic, the same group whose money these councillors are spending. Claiming to put the press on notice is a poor ly-disguised attack on the fundamental freedoms laid out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which includes freedom of the press. Ultimately this is about control. Councillors are try ing to stifle critical voices and control our free, indepen dent and responsible media. Thats a scary development. Any attempt by elected officials to limit the free flow of information is an attack on the basic democratic principles our society upholds. It won't work. Metroland is putting Brampton' s elected officials on notice: Media will not be intimidated by these thinlydisguised bullying tactics. `C o n n e c t e d t o y o u r C o m m u n i t y " 5046 Mainway Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classified Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 V o lu m e 55 |N u m b e r 45 The Oakville Beaver is a division of ·* m e tro la n d m e d ia · C o n n e cte dtoy o u rc o m m u n ity ® Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice -President and Group Publisher of Metroland West NEIL OLIVER KELLY MONTAGUE Regional General Manager Advertising Director DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager MyView LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC Director o f Production MARK DILLS Celebrating C anada/O ntario 1 5 0 his year marks the 150th anniversary of Canada and Ontario, and over the sum mer months every community in Halton will come alive in celebration of these mile stones. Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills and Mil ton will each hold many events and activities for everyone to enjoy, including unique art ex hibitions, special events, commemorative tree plantings and gardens, recreational activities, festivals and more. You can also enjoy local culture by shopping and dining in bustling downtown areas, visit ing outdoor markets and farms offering local food or exploring Halton' s beautiful conserva tion areas and waterfront parks. However you choose to celebrate, the Can ada 150 festivities will bring us together and showcase our Canadian pride. Like every Canada Day, this anniversary MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director o f Distribution Circulation Manager T CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Gary Carr O A K V I L L E Halton Region Chair Beaver. Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Proud Official Media Sponsor For: highlights the strong community that we Ca nadians cherish and continue to build together. It honours those who came before us, from the people who settled this land to those who bravely fought to defend our rights and free doms. Moving from our foundational values of peace, order and good government to the cel ebratory themes of diversity, inclusion, recon- Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association I Canadian Community Newspapers Association see Canada on p.15 Proud Official Media Sponsor For: O g, H a lto n Healthcare oakviiie oaiioiios W h lc< Pud by Steve Nease The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@ oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. JL V>l O n ta rio Press C o u n c il Defending principles to inspire public trust The Oakville Beaver is a member o f th e Ontario Press Council. The council is located a t 8 0 Gould St., Suite 2 0 6 , Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M 7. Phone 4 1 6 -3 4 0 -1 9 8 1 . Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in th e event o f a typographical error, th a t portion o f advertising space occupied by the eironeous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will no t be charged for, b u t the balance o f th e advertise m ent will be paid fo r a t th e applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.