In a decision published on Thursday, the Quebec Press Council unanimously upheld the complaints of Le Devoir journalist Améli Pineda, both for incomplete information and for the lack of balance in an article and a podcast targeting two years of denunciation of sexual misconduct by the comedian Julien Lacroix.
The press self-regulatory organization therefore blames the journalists Isabelle Hachey and Marie-Ève Tremblay as well as the daily newspaper La Presse and the radio station 98.5 FM. La Presse intends to appeal the decision.
Council also confirmed complaints from Ms. Pineda and a citizen, Suzanne Cholette, regarding the appearance of a conflict of interest against Marie-Ève Tremblay. However, the five additional complaints of incomplete information and the complaints of inaccurate information and bias were unanimously rejected.
Recall that in July 2020, Le Devoir published an investigation entitled “Julien Lacroix is a victim of allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.” Journalist Améli Pineda reported on the statements of nine women who described inappropriate sexual acts by the comedian. Some women spoke on condition of anonymity.
The complaints filed with the “Court of Honor” of Quebec journalism relate to the article “The Julien Lacroix affair, two years later – scars and regrets”, published on November 16, 2022 in the daily newspaper La Presse and in the four-part series Podcast “The Julien Lacroix Affair, Two Years Later,” broadcast the same day on the 98.5 website.
In this joint investigation, reporters Isabelle Hachey and Marie-Ève Tremblay reported that “women regret denouncing” the comedian and that “[avec le recul, ces femmes reviennent sur les dénonciations publiques et leurs dommages collatéraux ».
Différents griefs retenus
Dans les reportages visés par les plaintes, les journalistes affirmaient avoir sollicité une entrevue auprès du Devoir et que le quotidien avait accepté la demande « à condition d’obtenir nos questions à l’avance ». « Nous avons refusé cette condition », disaient-elles. Le Conseil de presse a déterminé que les journalistes Hachey et Tremblay ont transmis de l’information incomplète sur ce point en faisant « abstraction de plusieurs raisons importantes du refus du Devoir et empêchaient le public de bien comprendre ce refus ».
L’organisme a aussi conclu à un manque d’équilibre. La décision stipule qu’« étant donné que Le Devoir était l’une des parties en présence directement visées par cette nouvelle enquête, les journalistes avaient l’obligation déontologique de présenter une juste pondération de la perspective du Devoir dans cette affaire ».
Le Conseil de presse a également retenu le grief d’apparence de conflit d’intérêts à l’endroit de Marie-Ève Tremblay. On lit dans la décision qu’« en interviewant une personne [la conjointe de Julien Lacroix, Maude Sabbagh] With whom she had exchanged personal messages on social networks several times over several years, the journalist entered into an obvious conflict of interest.” Consequently, he blames “Marie-Ève Tremblay, La Presse and 98.5 FM” .
The self-regulatory organization unanimously rejected the complainants' five additional complaints about incomplete information relating to other passages in these reports. He also dismissed complaints of inaccurate information and bias.
“Satisfied with the decision”
Améli Pineda reiterates that she is “satisfied with the decision of the Press Council, which recognizes significant deficiencies in the approach of Isabelle Hachey and Marie-Ève Tremblay, who deviated from several principles of the Code of Ethics”.
The reporter admits that it is “unusual to file complaints against colleagues, but [que] Their approach was the same.” “Compromising the confidentiality of my sources would have undermined public trust in our profession and this decision strengthens Le Devoir's position,” she emphasized.
“The matter has been advanced in the relevant committee and today I can turn the page,” Ms. Pineda added. “This complaint was not about feelings or emotions, but about ethics and respect for the ethical standards that govern the profession of journalism. »
Brian Myles, director of Le Devoir, points out that the decision “largely confirms the discomfort and incomprehension that the actions of La Presse and 98.5 have caused among the management of Le Devoir.” “We hope that those responsible can learn from this in the spirit of continuous improvement. The media already has its hands full in the current context of turbulence; they don't need to argue with each other. For us the matter is closed. »
La Presse will appeal
François Cardinal, vice-president of information and deputy editor of La Presse, announced Thursday that he intends to appeal the decision of the “court of honor” of Quebec journalism. “We regret that the Press Council decided to interfere in the editorial decisions of La Presse by allowing itself to redefine the perspective of the report in accordance with the vision of the complainants. »
Mr Cardinal was also pleased that the council had rejected eight of the 11 complaints lodged. La Presse would like to “express our firm rejection of the three complaints raised,” he adds. “We believe that these complaints are without merit and that this decision sets dangerous precedents that will undermine the ability of all journalists in Quebec to conduct research and publish on issues of public interest – not just La Presse.” »
The Montreal daily's deputy editor adds that he remains convinced that the report on which the decision was based “was of undeniable public interest, that it demonstrated exemplary rigor and that the journalistic approach respected the rules of the art.”
On the side of Cogeco Média, owner of 98.5, senior director of communications and marketing Christine Dicaire said via email that the company would take note of the decision and “inform for the future.”