During a recent court case involving a pipeline protest in British Columbia, Assistant Commissioner John Brewer, a senior RCMP officer, testified that journalists were granted access through a police-controlled “access control point” at the site. The case was brought by news outlet The Narwhal and photojournalist Amber Bracken, challenging the legality of Bracken’s arrest during the protest.
According to Brewer, individuals identifying themselves as journalists were generally allowed entry by police, except in cases where their claims seemed implausible. He recounted instances where individuals posing as media personnel had joined protesters after being given access by officers.
Brewer highlighted a similar situation at the Fairy Creek logging protest on Vancouver Island, where individuals claiming to be media brought blockade materials. He explained that despite safety concerns and potential risks, police faced criticism for restricting access to those individuals.
The pipeline blockade was described by Brewer as creating safety hazards due to limited access routes, posing challenges for workers in the area. Bracken, a well-known photojournalist, was detained for three days alongside other protesters.
The lawsuit, Bracken emphasized, is not just about her personal experience but about the broader issue of press freedom. The Narwhal’s acting editor-in-chief, Carol Linnitt, expressed concerns over RCMP’s authority to dictate journalism within injunction zones.