CMEDIA: A journalist Rachel Gilmore had recently been approached in public by individuals linked to, or implicated in, an investigation she had written, and was published by The Tyee that focused on white nationalists, the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) learned on Fri evening.
According to a video shared by Gilmore on social media, she was approached by two men connected with white surpremacist activities one evening last week while out at a local music venue. In her video, Gilmore states one of the men tried to intimidate her by name-dropping the old gym she used to attend and suggesting they might see her there.
Being deeply disturbed by the account of the events Gilmore described, The CAJ said that physical, verbal, or other threats against journalists of any kind are violations of press freedom and are completely and utterly unacceptable.
“Public service journalism is a critical component of building robust and resilient democratic societies,” said Brent Jolly, CAJ president. “What happened to Rachel was an abhorrent act of intimidation. Threatening any journalist for reporting fearlessly, and in the public’s interest, is a threat to freedom itself.”
To acknowledge her situation and to refer her to organizational resources, the CAJ posted Friday evening a short statement on Bluesky, including the CAJ’s Emergency Support Fund and the Canadian News Industry Peer Support program.
The CAJ has been in touch over the weekend with Gilmore, The Tyee and other press freedom organizations, including Reporters sans frontières and the Committee to Protect Journalists, to offer support and to discuss ways to ensure she is kept safe and secure.
Understanding Gilmore’s having filed a police report about the incident, the CAJ calls on law enforcement to fully investigate this egregious attempt to intimidate a journalist.
The past several years have documented and numerous reports producing the degree to which hate and harassment against journalists, particularly women journalists and journalists of colour, is on the rise in both Canada and around the world.
While continuing to assemble resources, the CAJ aims to help journalists protect themselves physically and digitally.
CAJ asks all journalists experiencing threats or harassment as a result of their work to reach out at: emergency@caj.ca
The country’s largest professional organization, the Canadian Association of Journalists, with its primary roles being public-interest advocacy work and professional development for its membersserves to advance the interests of journalists from coast to coast to coast.
For further information: Brent Jolly, president, Canadian Association of Journalists, brent@caj.ca
