CEP Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2006

Two unionized photographers represented by Local 191 have been detained and/or arrested in the past month for carrying out their journalistic duties.  In both cases certain members of the Winnipeg Police Service used excessive force to hinder these photojournalists from documenting the actions of police as they violently put an end to peaceful demonstrations.

Both photographers work for the Winnipeg Sun, which has consulted with the photographers and will formally file complaints with the Winnipeg Police Service on the violent actions of police officers toward these journalists on separate incidents of May 3 and May 26.  CEP applauds the newspaper for taking this critical issue forward.

It appears you don’t have to travel to distant shores and military dictatorships to see police suppressing the work of journalists.  It’s happening right here in Canada, in Winnipeg. If you want to see for yourself click on the first video at this web address: http://www.dwdtv.org/humanrights.html#videos

Wherever you see democracy thrive you will also see a free and unfettered media.  When you suppress workers who document life around us you suppress all of our freedoms.  The very first principle in the CEP Journalism Code of Ethics reads, “We shall at all times defend the principle of the freedom of the press and other media in relation to the collection of information and the expression of comment and criticism.”

CEP condemns the actions of the Winnipeg Police Service in violating this vital principle.

-30-

For more information contact: Paul McKie, National Representative, CEP (204) 223-9421

Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
203 – 275 Broadway,  Winnipeg, Manitoba    R3C 4M6   (204) 988-1400

PM/hf – cope 343