A Canadian journalist, who was apprehended and accused while covering a police mission to remove a settlement for displaced Indigenous individuals, expresses concern that the charges will discourage future coverage of marginalized communities.
Indigenous journalist Brandi Morin was taken into custody on January 10th while reporting on police actions to disband a camp in Edmonton.
Morin, a journalist who has received recognition for her work and has contributed to various media sources such as the Guardian, was conducting an interview with the leader of the camp when law enforcement officials set up a boundary with yellow tape. As a physical altercation began, an officer instructed her to join the other reporters outside of the designated area.
Morin, who was working for Ricochet Media at the time, stated that she declined to depart.
In an interview, she stated that she has firsthand knowledge of the violence and brutality faced by Indigenous peoples during police actions. Being present as a witness was significant to her.
A representative from the Edmonton police department stated that they instructed Morin multiple times to go to an area where other journalists were present and cautioned her that she could be arrested if she did not follow their instructions.
“The EPS has taken great measures to enable reporters to enter encampment closures. Journalists are granted permission to record footage from a safe distance away from the site,” the announcement stated. “This is implemented to safeguard them from the unforeseen dangers that may arise during an encampment cleanup, including explosions, fires, biohazards, and weapons concerns, as well as to respect the privacy of encampment inhabitants.”
Ricochet labeled the detainment as “illegal”.
According to Morin, the experience of being arrested and publicly displayed in front of TV cameras before being taken to a police van was extremely embarrassing. She spent five hours in a cell before being released on the condition that she would return for fingerprinting and a mugshot. She was also given the opportunity to contact Ricochet, possibly to obtain legal representation, and arrange for her daughter to be picked up from daycare.
At first, she thought the accusations would be dismissed. However, as it became evident that the local authorities were not going to give in, Morin went back to the police station on Tuesday.
Morin had her photo taken and her fingerprints recorded, which made her aware that she was now listed in the police database. She reflected on the concerning trend of violence against Indigenous individuals and how law enforcement often relies on mugshots of Indigenous women and young people to locate them and label them as criminals.
Morin has a scheduled court appearance on February 16th.
The journalist from Stony Plain has built a profession by covering topics such as the climate crisis and Indigenous matters. She has recorded incidents of tailing pond leaks in First Nations communities, as well as the widespread issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. However, the emotional burden of these charges has taken a toll on her.
“I possess great strength as a person and as a woman, yet there have been instances where I’ve felt overwhelmed. There have also been times where I’ve considered leaving this job, which frightens me because it would mean my oppressors have succeeded in silencing me.”
PEN Canada expressed grave concern over the allegations against Morin.
The group stated that Canadian law safeguards journalists from being arrested or detained while they are reporting on issues of public importance and not involved in violent behavior or deliberately obstructing the police.
The apprehension of Morin coincides with an upcoming case in a British Columbia court which may have noteworthy consequences for Canadian journalists covering regions where law enforcement restricts entry.
Amber Bracken, a photojournalist, was apprehended in 2021 while documenting a police operation at an Indigenous demonstration camp in British Columbia.
The Narwhal, a publication focused on environmental issues, has filed a lawsuit against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for violating the rights of Bracken, who they had commissioned. The hearing for this case is scheduled for October 2024.
The courts in Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia have expressed disapproval of the way police enforce injunction orders and ‘exclusion zones’ when dealing with journalists.
Earlier this week, the Canadian Association of Journalists referred to Morin’s arrest as a “self-inflicted embarrassment” for law enforcement due to their lack of knowledge or concern for the important role that journalists play in a free and democratic society.
President Brent Jolly stated at a press conference that this behavior must be put to an end immediately.
Morin has stated that she will enter a plea of not guilty for the charges against her. If found guilty, she may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison.
“We have been suppressing the voices of our people for far too long. Finally, their stories are gaining attention in the media,” she stated. “However, this is not just about me. Any journalist could be subjected to similar targeting. It is our duty as journalists to hold those in positions of power accountable and to report from controversial and challenging locations. We must fulfill our roles.”
Source: theguardian.com
