Pelham, CAJ discuss ethical press solution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2018

Pelham, ON– After the release of a statement from the CAJ last night, Town of Pelham officials spoke with the Association’s President, Nick Taylor-Vaisey, on a conference call this morning.

During the call, Taylor-Vaisey confirmed the Canadian Associations of Journalists (CAJ) did not attempt to contact the Town of Pelham for comment or to make the Town aware of the criticisms or accusations in the statement, both of which are key points in the Association’s ethics guidelines. Taylor-Vaisey informed the Town that their statement reiterated a recent story and follow-up conversation with the Voice of Pelham.

Pelham officials appreciated Taylor-Vaisey’s willingness to listen and the additional information on the governing body that handles newspaper complaints. The National News Media Council (NNC), of which the Voice of Pelham is not a member, is the organization that considers, mediates, and releases decisions on complaints made against a newspaper.

“We appreciate the time that Mr. Taylor-Vaisey took this morning – and on such short notice – to understand our challenges,” said Mayor Dave Augustyn. “I think Mr. Taylor-Vaisey is now aware of the situation and that these matters do not exist in isolation. Our concerns and requests for correction to the Voice of Pelham have gone unheard and we hope through this dialogue things might begin to change.”

The Town of Pelham would be happy to work with the Voice when they begin subscribing to the CAJ’s ethics guidelines, or produce a copy of those they follow, and become a member of the NNC.

As such, the Town will be enforcing its media policy, which states, in part: “As a result, the Town regularly communicates with accredited journalists, who’s electronic and print media are members of the Ontario Press Council* and other relevant organizations, to help inform the public.”

*The Ontario Press Council is now known as the National NewsMedia Council.

View the CAJs Ethics Guidelines