the title Montreal Journal The “Indian variant has arrived” emblazoned with a photo of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in traditional Indian attire may be in “bad taste”, but that is no fault in the eyes of the Quebec Press Council.

The court of honor in the media world published its decision on Wednesday on the complaints of 89 people. The latter denounced “One” from Montreal Journal and Quebec newspaper on April 22, 2021.

This title page and the article next to it were published when the Delta variant, which originated in India, appeared in Quebec. The possibility of closing the border between Canada and India is a hot topic and the daily has published an article showing a photo of the Prime Minister in traditional Indian attire, with the caption: “The Indian variant has arrived”, and the caption “So Justin, are we breaking ties with India quickly?” “.

Although the Council “regrets the media’s refusal to cooperate” in this case, it argues that the complaint lacks clear arguments and evidence to determine that the newspaper had indeed violated one of its articles of journalistic ethics guidelines.

The first complaint alleges that Mr. Trudeau has no direct relationship to the content of the article and is therefore irrelevant. According to section 14.3 of the Quebec Press Council’s Guidelines for Journalistic Ethics, illustrations must reflect the information associated with them. However, the Commission is of the opinion that it cannot be claimed that there is no connection between the photos and the content, as the content relates to the relationship between Canada and India under the administration of Justin Trudeau.

Further, the Council found that the subtitle “So Justin, do we cut ties with India quickly this time?” not sensationalism, because sensationalism involves the idea of ​​distorting, exaggerating or interpreting reality. This subtitle echoes, in other words, the question directed at the Canadian Prime Minister by the political community. Using a familiar tone to ask this question is not a distortion of reality. According to Dewan, “every medium has its own tone and language”.

The plaintiffs also argued that, in the article at issue, Quebecor allowed its commercial, political, and ideological interests to outweigh the public’s legitimate interest in quality information. However, the Board received no evidence of interference.

Similarly, claims that front-page photos harm people of Indian descent are dismissed. The Council dismissed the latest discrimination claim for lack of evidence that the text would incite or inflame hatred and contempt against people of Indian origin.

Although the article and its title may be “bad taste”, it is not considered a violation of journalistic duty.

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