Using a line culled from every Mafia movie, the Alberta NDP said it's "nothing personal" before it cut off electronic communications with the Western Standard (WS) for writing "hit pieces" — despite the fact WS in an accredited member of the press gallery..Benjamin Alldritt, from the Official Opposition Caucus, said the WS — which he claims is "not a news source" — put his people at risk when writing about the NDP.."I take the safety of my people very seriously and your employer is compromising that," Alldritt said via text after the Western Standard contacted him to apologize for its part in a heated hallway discussion where a WS reporter and Alldritt went toe-to-toe..According to Alldritt, WS "hit piece" stories caused the Alberta NDP to receive death threats via email..The Western Standard asked him to produce the emails, but then entered into a conversation where Alldritt offered unsolicited career advice to a WS reporter..According to Alldritt, the Western Standard's Alberta Legislature reporter should take a "good look" at the company he works for.."You're not a news source," Alldritt said..The reporter explained journalists need to show both sides of a story, but Alldritt will make it difficult to do if reporters no longer receive correspondence..The last press release received from Alldritt was February 5. His last email to the WS was February 28..Alldritt explained via a Thursday text the snub is "nothing personal," before he then stated he can send media email releases from the NDP to whomever he likes.."I have control issues," Alldritt admitted at a previous media conference..The WS asked if press conferences were off-limits and Alldritt said no, the WS can still attend. However, without the dial-in numbers and pass codes, that will be extraordinarily difficult to accomplish because the times of the press conferences are within those emails..The Western Standard is currently a press gallery member at the Alberta Legislature, but Alldritt also refuses to let its reporters hold the mic while in press conferences with Notley after a WS reporter asked if the former premier was a doctor, and why she continued to promote COVID-19 vaccines to children.
