MCK demands apology, correction from TVA for bigoted and slanderous broadcast

12/13/2018

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to advise the community that it has sent a letter to the Groupe TVA, Inc. demanding an apology, retraction and correction regarding a report broadcast on le Canal Nouvelles on October 19th of this year and subsequently posted on the TVA Nouvelles website.

During a live segment entitled “Reveillez-vous” with Jean-François Guerin, Richard Martineau used antiquated and bigoted language in his segment following the legalization of cannabis, which the MCK views as disparaging and slanderous.

Mr. Martineau chose to depict Kahnawà:ke as a lawless territory, stating that police were closing their eyes to illegal cannabis operations in the community, which is clearly untrue.

The statements by Mr. Martineau constituted a blatant breach of journalistic practices, standards and ethics, as he did not bother to reach out to the MCK to verify any of his alleged ‘findings.’ Much of his segment is littered with offensive language demeaning to Mohawks and all Indigenous peoples.

“While the MCK respects the important role the media and journalists have in our society, Groupe TVA has done a disservice to the public and further stigmatized Canada’s Indigenous people by inviting its viewers to go to Kahnawà:ke to purchase illegal drugs,” the letter states. “It is not the role of journalists to perpetuate stereotypes and peddle false information.”

“This second letter and accompanying press release was issued because TVA did not acknowledge our first letter of complaint,” stated Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. “A little common courtesy could have prevented this action from being taken.”

The MCK is extending an invitation to Groupe TVA and its affiliates to come to Kahnawà:ke to be educated on the efforts being taken to prevent the illegal purchase and sale of cannabis within its Territory.

Groupe TVA has been informed that it must manifest its interest to comply by Friday, December 21, 2018, otherwise certain actions will have to be taken.