The Conservative Party has blocked The Breach from covering their upcoming national convention in Quebec City, refusing to grant us media accreditation.
Breach managing editor Martin Lukacs, who has covered Canadian politics for a decade and a half for media outlets like The Guardian and has reported previously from Liberal and NDP conventions, had requested accreditation from the party.
On Thursday morning, several press freedom and media organizations—Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, PEN Canada, and the Canadian Association of Journalists—sent a joint letter to the Conservative Party calling for them to reverse their decision.
Conservative Party officials have provided no explanation for why accreditation was denied.
But the decision was sent by Pierre Poilievre’s Director of Communications, indicating that it was a political call made at the highest levels within Poilievre’s office.
Why blacklist The Breach? This move appears to be a retaliation for our coverage of the Conservative leader.
The Breach has produced widely-shared videos like “Pierre Poilievre’s fake populist playbook,” and widely-read articles on Poilievre’s opposition to social programs, his embrace of crypto-currency, and his false solutions on housing, among other coverage.
The decision comes in the wake of Pierre Poilievere’s efforts to brand himself a champion of freedom, including a pledge to “restore freedom of the press in this country again.”
The irony was not lost on this publication.
“Pierrre Poilievre says he supports freedom of the press, but it appears that what he really wants is freedom from the press—and any critical investigations of his political agenda,” said Dru Oja Jay, The Breach’s publisher.
“The right of journalists to cover a policy convention of a national political party that could take power should be unquestionable,” he said. “When they shut out journalists, they shut out the public.”
The Breach is a federally-incorporated non profit media organization funded primarily by members. It employs 8 staff and produces investigations, analysis and videos about issues of national importance.
Letter to the Conservative Party from PEN Canada, Canadian Association of Journalists, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, and Press Forward:
“It’s about getting to the bottom of things. It’s about unveiling who has the power and what they’re doing with that power.”
Linda McQuaig, journalist and author
As a non-profit, free from powerful corporate interests, we invest in investigations and uncover the cover-ups. Sustain our journalism for transformation.
Right-Wing Politics | How to take back ‘freedom’ from Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre | Pierre Poilievre’s Fake Populist Playbook
Housing | The housing market is broken, but Pierre Poilievre won’t fix it
5 comments
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As someone who doesn’t use social media much, I’d love any guidance on how to take action on this in the real world 🙏🏽
Dear Mr. Lukacs,
I support all journalist access to party conventions left, right or center. Good luck in being accredited. I will continue to watch the Breach hold ALL Political parties accountable. Please continue to maintain your non partisan journalism, and report good or bad stories from all political parties in order to maintain your credibility. The Legacy media was initially designed to hold politicians accountable, but they have become the mouth pieces for government. There are a good number of citizens craving for real, truthful and non partisan reporting. Continue to hold All your news reporters accountable on behalf of the Canadian public.
Thank You,
I am not allowed to share the news through FB in Canada, so we may add FB to the Conservatives in our freedom of speech complaint.
Your entity, The Breach, has done nothing but play “gotcha” politics with Pierre Poilievre since he started his campaign for Conservative Party leader. You twist everything he says, out words in his mouth, and cherry pick words he has said. The CPC has nothing to hide and is hiding nothing. It is the Breach who has earned the rejection. Do better with your biased “journalism”.
“Pierre Poilievre says he supports freedom of the press, but it appears that what he really wants is freedom from the press—and any critical investigations of his political agenda”. I just love the twist of the words.