Prime Minister Justin Trudeau honoured World Press Freedom Day by saying journalists “inform Canadians and hold governments accountable.”.“Their work is independent and indispensable,” said Trudeau in a Wednesday tweet. .“As they continue to face harassment, censorship, and violence simply for doing their jobs, let me say this: We’ll always support and promote the freedom of the press.” .Western Standard columnist and show host Cory Morgan mocked Trudeau for saying he supports journalism. .“Pure bull---- coming from you,” said Morgan. .People’s Party of Canada candidate Stephen Makk (Simcoe North, ON) said Trudeau should stop funding the press. .“That creates an unavoidable conflict of interest,” said Makk. .“The perception of influence is almost as bad as actual corruption.”.Trudeau did not speak up when Rebel News reporter Alexa Lavoie was struck and injured by police while covering the Freedom Convoy in 2022. .A police officer hit Lavoie three times with a club and shot a tear gas canister at her leg from point-blank range. .“Trudeau has instructed his police to attack journalists,” said Rebel News publisher Ezra Levant. .Trudeau was silent when Parliamentary Press Gallery executives accompanied by armed police evicted Blacklock’s Reporter from the National Press Building in December. .READ MORE: Blacklock's Reporter is evicted from press gallery.Blacklock’s Reporter said the eviction — the first of its kind in the history of the National Press Building — was retaliation over its continued opposition to media subsidies..The complaints were made by Canadian Press reporters Emilie Bergeron and Michel Saba and freelance journalist Helene Buzzetti.
