Canada: Drop Bogus Charges Against Brandi Morin Immediately, CFWIJ and WPF Demand
The indigenous journalist, arrested for doing her job, faces two years in prison
Location: Canada
Date: January 29, 2024
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom joins more than a half-dozen press freedom groups demanding police drop the bogus charges against Brandi Morin, an esteemed journalist who was simply doing her job. The charges against her not only represent an unjust legal battle but also pose a severe threat to press freedom in Canada.
Brandi Morin, a dedicated indigenous reporter, was arrested on January 10 while covering a police raid at an indigenous-led homeless encampment along Roland Road. She was clearly identified as a journalist, filming the events from a safe distance and not interfering with the police officers in any way. Nevertheless, she was singled out and arrested on charges of obstruction, a criminal offense carrying a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
“It is not healthy for Canadian democracy to have law enforcement agencies get in the way of journalistic work”
“It is not healthy for Canadian democracy to have law enforcement agencies get in the way of journalistic work,” says CFWIJ and WPF founding director Kiran Nazish about the arrest and charges. “Their job is to allow journalists access and get out of the way of independent newsgathering, a process necessary for a democracy.
Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and the B.C. Supreme Court, have affirmed journalists' rights to witness and report on police actions, including arrests. Even the RCMP's civilian oversight body found the use of exclusion zones to keep journalists away from police activities unlawful.
Brandi Morin was specifically targeted by the police, who did not want her to document their actions during a tense encounter at the encampment. Regrettably, Morin is not the first journalist to face such harassment. The arrest of World Press Photo of the Year-winning photojournalist Amber Bracken during her coverage of an RCMP raid on Indigenous land defenders underscores the persistent challenges journalists face while reporting on indigenous stories.
Brandi Morin has earned numerous accolades for her journalistic work, including an Edward R. Murrow award, the PEN Canada Ken Filkow prize, and an Amnesty International award for human rights reporting. Her arrest undermines the significant contributions she has made to journalism and freedom of expression.
“Brandi's arrest makes an absolute mockery of the rights of freedom of the press,” says Brent Jolly, executive director Canadian Association of Journalists.
“Brandi’s arrest makes an absolute mockery of the rights of freedom of the press”
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom categorically declare this situation a threat to press freedom and democracy in Canada. We urge all relevant authorities to drop the charges against Brandi Morin immediately and take the necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. We call upon public officials to push for improvements in law enforcement agencies' treatment of journalists, ensuring they facilitate independent news gathering, a cornerstone of any democratic society.
We believe that Canadian leadership must take this case seriously and stand with us in condemning the targeting of journalists by police and law enforcement institutions. Most importantly, we call for the charges against Brandi Morin to be dropped without delay.
The following is an excerpt from a press conference on January 29 organized by Ricochet Media, the outlet that hired Morin to cover the event, and joined by CFWIJ, WPF, and several other press freedom oorganizations :
Brandi Morin:
As an indigenous reporter who regularly reports on police brutality against indigenous peoples, it's my responsibility to use my platform to inform the public and to hold to account those in power, such as the police.
On Wednesday, Jan 10, I was at an indigenous-led homeless encampment along Roland Road. I needed in-depth one-on-one interviews with individuals living in the camp as well as supporters on site for a story I was working on, which brought me there in the capacity of my profession as a journalist.
I observed the police agreeing with Roy Cardinal and advocates there to leave the occupied tents alone.
The next day, while I was inside Roy Cardinal's teepee, along with his invited guests, conducting an interview, we were informed Edmonton police were amassing outside. An officer informed Roy that the group had the opportunity to leave peacefully or would be forcibly removed and could face charges of obstruction.
A confrontation soon erupted after Roy refused to leave his home in the encampment. My camera was rolling as people screamed, some put their hands in the other, and others attempted to shield Roy from the police.
Within seconds, while my camera was still rolling, Sergeant Amber Maize targeted me, singling me out amongst several people filming. She stepped in front of my camera and told me I had to leave. I replied I was a journalist and had a right to be there. I also stated I was not impeding the work of the police.
“As an indigenous reporter who regularly reports on police brutality against indigenous peoples, it’s my responsibility to use my platform to inform the public and to hold to account those in power, such as the police”
After asserting my rights as a member of the press and refusing to leave, I was handcuffed while surrounded by three officers, including Sergeant Maize. I was then marched to a waiting paddy wagon down the road.
As an indigenous reporter who regularly reports on police brutality against indigenous peoples, it’s my responsibility to use my platform to inform the public and to hold to account those in power, such as the police. I am resolute in my belief in the importance of the work that I and every other journalist in this world do. I believe that witnessing the actions of and holding to account society’s most powerful figures is at the very core of what journalists do, and I will not allow my arrest to silence or undermine the powerful legacy of work I have built up.
Kiran Nazish, Founding Director, Coalition For Women In Journalism, Women Press Freedom:
We call this particular case, the charge against Brandi, a case of Police impediment against a journalist that further and very unfortunately turned into a legal case.
Most of all, we do not think it is healthy for Canadian democracy to have law enforcement agencies get in the way of journalistic work. Their job is to allow journalists access and get out of the way of independent newsgathering, a process necessary for a democracy.
Of course, there is no doubt that police and law enforcement agencies need internal discussions on how to improve their treatment of journalists, but to make this happen, we call upon public officials to help push for this necessary step to take place.
We think democratic leadership in Canada should take this case seriously and join us in discouraging the police and law enforcement institutions from targeting journalists.
Most of all, we at Women Press Freedom would like these charges to be dropped against Brandi Morin.
Brent Jolly, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Journalists:
Brandi's arrest makes an absolute mockery of the rights of freedom of the press and the ability for journalists to report on the activities of taxpayer-funded law enforcement agencies such as the Edmonton police service. We are calling for any charges against Brandi to be dropped immediately. This entire situation is an abomination, particularly as a result in towards the pursuit of reconciliation and justice, and must be corrected immediately.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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