RCMP seeks to vet questions for UAE officer
When the Royal Canadian Mounted Police invited reporters to an event in St. John’s honouring female police officers, it included an unusual request. Journalists who want to interview the officer of the year were asked to submit their questions for review in advance.
When the Royal Canadian Mounted Police invited reporters to an event in St. John’s honouring female police officers, it included an unusual request. Journalists who want to interview the officer of the year were asked to submit their questions for review in advance.
The Canadian Press reports that the RCMP cited “diplomatic protocol” in asking reporters to e-mail their questions to the RCMP in advance, for review by UAE officials, and asked that no questions other than those submitted in advance be asked.
Canadian Press interviewed Chris Waddell, director of the School of Journalism and Communication and Carleton University, who called the diplomatic protocol claim “baloney.”
“This isn’t appropriate in Canada and shouldn’t be happening,” Waddell told CP.
Grant Buckler is a retired freelance journalist and a volunteer with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression and lives in Kingston, Ont.