François Legault must call to order his Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, after his “repeated attacks” against journalists from the Quebecor media, believes its president and CEO, Pierre Karl Péladeau. It is “unworthy” of his function as minister and it is a serious attack on the freedom of the press, he judges in a letter sent directly to the Prime Minister.
“We rely on you to put an end to this situation, which is harmful to the essential work of journalists and their freedom of expression. It is your duty since you are, by virtue of your functions, vested in and guarantor of the democratic values of our nation”, writes Pierre Karl Péladeau in his missive, of which The duty got a copy.
Last week, the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, published on his social networks his response to a request for an interview from journalist Francis Halin, from Montreal Journal. The latter questioned him about his personal donation of $5 million to HEC Montréal. He wanted to know why the Minister had not waited until the end of his ministerial mandate to announce this bequest and whether he felt that this gesture sent the wrong message to other universities.
According to Mr. Fitzgibbon, the journalist’s interest was “malicious and in bad faith”. That is why he wanted to make his questions public. “Too often, Quebecers do not see the aggressiveness and bad faith of these questions on a daily basis, often asked by the same press group. Commissioned missions have too often taken precedence over serious and rigorous journalism,” he wrote.
In the process, the Professional Federation of Journalists of Quebec (FPJQ) denounced this gesture which “is akin to intimidation”. The organization asked the minister to withdraw his message and offer a public apology to Francis Halin. Given Mr. Fitzgibbon’s ethical background, she felt that these kinds of questions were justified. However, the FPJQ’s request remained unanswered.
In his letter, Pierre Karl Péladeau notes that this is not the first time that Minister Fitzgibbon has attacked Quebecor journalists. He cites five examples, including the time when the minister in June said “stop, you rummage through the garbage cans, there” to another journalist from the Montreal Journal, finding his questions about his relationship with a lobbyist too insistent.
“It is one thing to be irritated by journalists’ questions, to resent the media treatment given to an announcement, it is quite another to deliver a serious and outrageous charge against journalists or a group press who carry out their work legitimately and legally,” added Mr. Péladeau in his letter to Mr. Legault.
Commissioned missions have too often taken precedence over serious and rigorous journalism
According to him, Mr. Fitzgibbon’s “targeted, false and defamatory accusations” “beyond comprehension”. They not only damage the reputation of the journalists targeted, but also constitute “gestures that undermine press freedom and, by extension, our democracy”.
He insists that being elected comes with a number of responsibilities, including accountability to the people.
Contacted by The dutythe press secretary of François Legault, Ewan Sauves, indicated that “just like private meetings, we do not comment on private correspondence intended for the Prime Minister”.