When members of the media become targets, colleagues must report on the grim tragedy of their peers.
They also face the reality that their images and words leave them vulnerable to people who resent the existence of the media.
An Ottawa sportscaster was killed last week as he walked out of his television station. According to police, the suspect was angry and “wished to cause harm to a media personality.”
Brian Smith was the first recognizable journalist who appeared before the gunman. He became the target.
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Canadian journalists were shocked, as many recalled dangerous situations from their past, or pondered the future.
To think this happens only in big cities or the United States is to delude ourselves. Within the last few years I’ve heard of several news, court and sports reporters who have been threatened or stalked.
Like the guy who was told he’d be killed if he reported charges against a drug suspect. He was followed a few times. Or the female television journalist who was terrified one night as a “fan” kept banging on her car while she waited at a red light. Or the sportswriter who was threatened repeatedly because of some negative story he wrote.
They’ve changed to unlisted phone numbers, become nervous walking near the courthouses they report on, or in some cases have moved several times.
Guess what? This all happened on the Prairies, sometimes in small towns. Welcome to reality.
Yet in Canada journalists enjoy much more safety than journalists in other countries. Almost daily there are reports of journalists being detained, deported, beaten or killed.
The Canadian Committee to Protect Journalists often cites the roles that governments or military organizations play in these incidents. Unfortunately, the case of Smith proves the enemy isn’t always known until it’s too late.
