A photographer and a media outlet are taking legal action against the RCMP following an incident at an anti-pipeline protest in British Columbia. Amber Bracken and The Narwhal are challenging the lawfulness of Bracken’s arrest during a demonstration against the Coastal GasLink pipeline in November 2021.
Bracken, known for her work with national news organizations, including The Canadian Press, was on assignment when she was apprehended at the protest camp. The lawsuit filed by Bracken and The Narwhal aims to highlight the potential impact of such arrests on press freedom.
The Narwhal’s acting editor-in-chief, Carol Linnitt, criticized the authority given to the RCMP within injunction zones, which she believes undermines the role of journalists and the freedom of the press. Linnitt warned that under such conditions, the freedom to report on important issues could be severely compromised.
Despite the charges against Bracken being dropped, the Canadian Association of Journalists emphasized the broader implications of the case on the relationship between journalists and law enforcement in Canada. The CAJ expressed concerns over a pattern of unjust treatment and interference faced by journalists, suggesting it could be a tactic to hinder media coverage and evade public scrutiny.
In response, the police and government defended Bracken’s arrest, citing her alleged involvement in obstructing pipeline construction. They maintained that her arrest was based on valid grounds of breaching an injunction order.