Canada: Journalist Kariane Bourassa Was Assaulted While Following Anti-Mask Protests
Location: Canada
Date: July 30, 2020
TVA journalist Kariane Bourassa was covering an anti-mask demonstration when she was physically harassed and intimidated by two men in Quebec on July 26. They interrupted her live broadcast and resorted to hugging while she was reporting in the field. Protesters neither wore masks nor did they care about social distancing protocols during the demonstration.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the harassment Kariane was subjected to in Canada. We expect better from a country that believes in press freedom and protecting its journalists. We call on the authorities to sanction the behaviour of protesters who put Kariane’s safety at risk and touched her without consent.
It is evident that the incident has left Kariane disturbed as she shared her ordeal in a tweet.
“An unwanted ‘hug’ is no less worse than an insult or threats,” she wrote onTwitter.
Ça peut sembler rigolo.
— Kariane Bourassa (@karianeb) July 27, 2020
NON, un "câlin" non-désiré, n'est pas moins pire qu'une insulte ou que des menaces. Les femmes journalistes ne devraient pas avoir à faire leur travail en regardant constamment par-dessus leur épaule pour voir si quelqu'un va entrer dans "leur bulle". pic.twitter.com/MU1ltPW57Q
Kariane added that women journalists “shouldn’t have to do their jobs by constantly looking over their shoulders to see if someone is going to enter ‘their bubble.’”
The channel she works for also released a statement to condemn the uncalled for act by a couple of anti-mask protestors who not only put their own life in danger, but also risked other people’s health by not abiding to the rules of social distancing amid Covid-19.
“TVA’s management condemns such acts that represents, not only intimidation against journalistic work and an assault on the integrity of a reporter but also the safety of our reporters and cameramen in the field.”
The Canadian Association of Journalists also issued a statement and condemned the harassment against Kariane.
The CAJ condemns attacks against journalists @karianeb, @hassinhadi & @poirieryvesTVA, who were covering anti-mask protests in Quebec City & Montreal last week.
— Canadian Association of Journalists (@caj) July 29, 2020
We call on police to sanction all behaviour that put journalists’ health & safety at risk: https://t.co/fqfqmjpbYX pic.twitter.com/K2gxYe8h1J
CFWIJ condemns the harassment that Kariane had to endure while she reported on the ground. We demand that Canadian authorities take strict actions against those behind this incident of physical harassment, which did not only make Kariane feel uncomfortable but put her health at risk.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.