Kandahar Press Censorship Isn’t Quite as Reported?
| 4/30/2009 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan |
Yesterday a piece was circulated by The Canadian Press reporting Canadian journalists in Kandahar had restrictions placed on them which virtually made it impossible for them to move freely around either the base or the city in preparing their reports. The report claimed the restrictions mirrored the US approach to journalists in Iraq.
The report mentioned these restrictions didn’t apply to American journalists as that would violate the US Constitution. Hello? When did the Canadian constitution allow these restrictions on Canadian journalists?
Today The Canadian Press reports Defence Minister Peter McKay would be looking into the restrictions which have been temporarily suspended. The matter was raised in Parliament and the usual critics weighed in; Liberal Denis Coderre and Jack Layton who said, “This should be a no-brainer. The Canadian government should be saying it is important for the freedom of the press and for the truth to come to Canadians.” He should know being the Hill’s resident no-brainer.
Meanwhile Brian Hutchinson of the National Post reports from Afghanistan that he’s finding no restrictions on his ability to report. His passport is safely in his possession, he’s not required to have escorts when he moves around the base and leaves the base to gather material for reports when he wants to.
He does point out that many of the news outlets have themselves placed restrictions on the movements of journalists out of fears for their safety. Would be nice if someone could come up with the truth, is there restrictive policies or is Hutchinson just privileged?
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