The title of Montreal Journal “the variant of India has arrived” decked out with a photo of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in traditional Indian garb was perhaps in “bad taste”, but it does not constitute a fault in the eyes of the Quebec Press Council.
The court of honor within the media world published its decision on Wednesday concerning the complaints of 89 people. The latter denounced the “One” of the Montreal Journal and Quebec newspaper of April 22, 2021.
This title page and the adjoining article were published when the Delta variant, originating in India, had surfaced in Quebec. The possibility of closing the borders between Canada and India was a hot topic and these dailies had published an article showing a photo of the Prime Minister in traditional Indian clothes, with the title: “The variant of India has arrived”, and the caption “So, Justin, do we cut ties with India quickly this time?” “.
Although the Council “deplores the media’s refusal to cooperate” in this case, it is of the opinion that the complaints lack clear arguments and evidence to rule that these newspapers have indeed violated one of the articles of its guide to journalistic ethics.
The first grievance alleged that the photo of Mr. Trudeau had no direct relationship to the content of the article and was therefore irrelevant. According to article 14.3 of the Journalistic Ethics Guide of the Quebec Press Council, illustrations must reflect the information to which they relate. However, the Commission is of the view that it cannot be claimed that there is no relationship between the photo and the content, since the content relates to relations between Canada and India under the government of Justin Trudeau.
Further, the Council finds that the subtitle “So, Justin, do we cut ties with India quickly this time?” is not sensationalist, because sensationalism involves the notion of distortion, exaggeration or interpretation of reality. This subtitle echoes, in other words, the question addressed to the Canadian Prime Minister by the political community. Using a familiar tone to ask this question does not constitute a distortion of reality. According to the Council, “each medium has its own tone and language”.
The plaintiffs also argued that, in the article in question, Quebecor allowed its commercial, political and ideological interests to outweigh the public’s legitimate interest in quality information. However, the Council accepts no evidence of interference.
Similarly, the claim that the front-page photo was detrimental to people of Indian descent was dismissed. The Board dismissed the final discrimination claim due to the lack of evidence that the text would incite or inflame hatred and contempt for people of Indian origin.
Although the article and its title may have been in “bad taste”, it was not considered a breach of journalistic duty.