Calls, multiple interviews, obtaining medical documents and corroboration: an investigative journalist from the daily The Press recounted Friday in great detail all the steps taken by his team before publishing an article recounting complaints against Quebec choreographer Steve Bolton, a report for which he is suing for defamation.
The trial of this action for more than $265,000 in damages against the daily and two of its journalists is currently taking place at the Montreal courthouse.
The article in question dates from December 2017: it reported that around twenty complaints had been filed with the Union des artistes (UDA) against Steve Bolton. These contained allegations ranging from verbal and physical abuse to untenable working conditions and abuse of power, the report read. We could also learn that the allegations had been considered serious by the UDA, which indicated at the time that it intended to exercise “increased vigilance” over him.
The choreographer believes that the publication of this article harmed his reputation and his career, and caused him to lose many contracts.
Strict standards
He accuses the journalists of several faults — Katia Gagnon and Stéphanie Vallet, the latter now works at the To have to — in particular for having used information “in a misleading manner” and without putting it into context. They dismissed testimonies that were favorable to him in order to favor those who denigrated him, thus painting a horrible portrait of him, he laments.
The journalists defend themselves, claiming to have committed no fault: their report was thorough, balanced and nuanced, they argue.
Taking the witness stand on Friday, Katia Gagnon, who was at that time the head of the investigations team at The Pressdefended the work carried out.
She explained the journalistic standards that the daily had set itself, and which were followed in this case.
First, for this type of case where behavior is blamed on a person, The Press required multiple whistleblowers. These had to provide “a credible and meaningful narrative”, which had “importance and weight. »
Then, the facts denounced had to be corroborated by a person present, or, if there were no witnesses, by a person to whom the events had been related shortly afterwards. It was also necessary that whistleblowers agree to testify in the open, explained the journalist.
If these criteria were not met, the story was abandoned.
This was particularly the case for the actor Edgar Fruitier: The Press had been contacted by Jean-René Tétreault, who accused him of sexual touching when he was a teenager, said Mme Gagnon. There was no article, because there was only a denunciation, which did not respect the rules of daily life. Mr. Tétreault eventually filed a complaint with the police and Mr. Fruitier was found guilty.
As for the journalistic investigation of Steve Bolton, there was a public interest in publishing this matter, said Mr.me Gagnon.
His testimony continues Friday afternoon with all the details of the steps taken for this report.