Amidst pressure from journalists and citizens throughout Canada, a maritime policy that infringed on freedom of press has been reversed -- legislature scrums will resume in Nova Scotia.
Two weeks ago, Premier Tim Houston ended the longstanding democratic tradition of government officials holding media scrums outside the legislative chamber. Instead, Houston said journalists could wait in another building across the street and wait for cabinet members to appear. The Canadian Association of Journalists called the move “frontal assault on press freedom”. Some members of the local media boycotted formal availability to protest the move from Houston.
After this significant pushback, Houston has reversed the policy. “We want to make sure Nova Scotians have access to information and that you folks can do your job properly” he told journalists during a scrum.
This victory for press freedom and democracy comes thanks to the swift and decisive response from journalists, media organizations and citizens across the country!
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