MONTRÉAL, Aug. 22, 2018 /CNW
Telbec/ - Quebecor's media properties – Le Journal de
Montréal, Le Journal de Québec, 24 heures
and TVA Group – today filed a motion in Québec Superior Court
seeking an injunction and damages to prevent the Québec Press
Council from making decisions about their news coverage. As
Quebecor's media outlets have not been members of the Council for
years, they want their right not to be associated with the private
organization, which is neither a tribunal nor an ethics committee
under the law, to be respected.
"Today, although Quebecor's media outlets are no longer members
of the Press Council, the Council continues to make erroneous,
unfair and defamatory decisions about us," said Dany Doucet, Vice-President, News, QMI Agency,
and Editor-in-Chief of Le Journal de Montréal. "The current
situation is unacceptable. Our right not to associate with this
organization, a principle enshrined in the Québec Charter of
Human Rights and Freedoms, is being violated."
"As a broadcaster, we are subject to the Canadian Broadcast
Standards Council's standards," noted Serge
Fortin, Vice-President, TVA News and TVA Sports. "It is
therefore unacceptable that the Press Council should take it upon
itself to pass judgement on our reporters when we are opposed to
being members of the Council or participating in it."
The Press Council recently issued two more decisions tarnishing
the reputation and image of Quebecor's media properties. One was
made following an incomplete and flawed process and the other was
an arbitrary decision that infringed on a columnist's freedom of
opinion. Quebecor's media outlets are therefore calling on the
Council to rescind those decisions.
"All media have a responsibility to the public and must do their
work in accordance with the rights and obligations that govern our
profession. However, the courts are the only bodies that can make
an impartial judgement," concluded Mr. Doucet and Mr. Fortin.
TVA Group and Quebecor's newspapers withdrew from the Québec
Press Council in November 2008 and
June 2010 respectively.
About Quebecor newspapers
Le Journal de
Montréal, Le Journal de Québec and 24 heures have
more than four million readers per week on all platforms.
Quebecor's newspapers are available in print and electronic
versions, and can also be accessed online at JournaldeMontreal.com,
JournaldeQuebec.com and JournaldeMontreal.com/24hours, or through
the J5 app, the free customizable mobile application of
Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de
Québec.
About TVA Group
TVA Group Inc. is a communications
company engaged in the broadcasting, film and audiovisual
production, and magazine publishing industries. TVA Group Inc. is
the largest broadcaster of French-language entertainment, news and
public affairs programming in North
America, and one of the largest private production
companies. It is also a leading publisher of French-language
magazines and publishes some of Canada's most popular English-language titles.
The Corporation's Class B shares are listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the ticker symbol TVA.B.
SOURCE Quebecor