UPDATE APRIL 14 2022
The National NewsMedia Council has dismissed a reader complaint filed regarding the letter described below, finding that there was no breach of ethical standards on the part of the Voice. Read their decision here.
The Voice has learned that the roofing contractor Joshua Bigger, whose activist persona is "Mr. Freedom," has falsely stated on social media that this newspaper has printed an "article" referencing anti-Covid-mandate protesters in what he considers to be a derogatory way.
This is incorrect. In fact, the newspaper printed a letter to the editor containing the remarks that Bigger objects to.
Readers are free to express their opinions on any manner of topics. As long as the statements are not defamatory, they will generally be printed. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrines the right to free speech in our nation, a freedom that presumably "Mr. Freedom" supports, says Voice publisher Dave Burket.
"Ironically Bigger seems to be hoping to coerce us into changing our approach to covering anti-mandate 'freedom' protests, or limit the opinions we allow readers to express in the paper, which is a little off-brand for someone with 'freedom' in their name," says Burket.
"Since Covid started, every time we've run stories about being attacked for reporting the facts, and calling out conspiracy theories, we've seen a spike in subscriptions. Sure enough, since these posts appeared on Facebook today [Monday, March 21] we've had a nice handful of new memberships come in. So, you know, post away."
(Anyone looking to take out a voluntary membership in the Voice may do so here.)
Bigger also posted a video in which he falsely claims that the Voice has "bought" favorable online reviews. This is incorrect.
[Update, March 24: After a slew of negative reviews were posted the newspaper's Google business page, apparently provoked by Bigger's invitation to do so, Google has removed all reviews submitted after his Facebook post was made.]
Furthermore, the letter to the editor in question does not specifically mention Bigger. It was written before the single news story about Bigger appeared in the newspaper. The letter writer was responding to a previous opinion piece that ran the week before.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrines the right to free speech in our nation, a freedom that presumably "Mr. Freedom" supports
A news story is an objective telling of facts.
A letter to the editor is a subjective opinion on a topic. One way to tell the difference is to look at the heading at the top of the page. If it says OPINION in 32 pt. bold, chances are good that the page does not contain news, but someone's opinion about something. See examples below.
Would you like to share an opinion about this story or anything else? Send it to [email protected]
Not satisfied with this explanation of opinion vs. news? You may take your concern to the National NewsMedia Council.
Examples of Opinion vs. News
Right-click to enlarge
