Liberal MP George Chahal lied on national TV on Thursday, saying all local journalists were allowed to ask questions at Mark Carney's leadership campaign launch in Edmonton.
The truth is, I was escorted out of the event by police for politely trying to do my job. The action was a gross violation of press freedom, a pillar of democratic liberty.
I was not allowed entry to the conference room with other media outlets like CBC and Global News even though I'm an accredited reporter and member of the Alberta Legislature press gallery — so this was disappointing.
"We've seen that all the local journalists had the opportunity to ask him [Carney] a number of questions, but a lot of our constituents here in Edmonton got an opportunity to meet him and ask him those questions as well," said Chahal on CTV's Power Play.
"And so I think he (Carney) was direct and forthcoming on his plan moving forward."
Listen to the clip at the 2:40 minute mark.
Chahal, a public servant, came very close to body-checking me in a doorway in full view of police and onlookers. I moved quickly to avoid contact.
Reporters from Counter Signal and True North were also banned. I was led out of a side door instead of the main entrance to avoid the embarrassment of the incident being witnessed by more people.
I was grabbed by a police officer while trying to leave the building. The incident has sparked a firestorm on social media.
