Is the National Post’s Falsification of Attendance Figures Undermining Trust in Canadian Journalism?

Canadians place their trust in newspapers, expecting them to provide accurate and unbiased information. However, the recent actions of the National Post, one of Canada’s most reputable newspapers, have brought this trust into question. On May 11th, during the March For Life rally on Parliament Hill, the National Post’s Catherine Lévesque deliberately misreported the attendance figures, downplaying the number of participants. This article sheds light on the deceptive journalism employed by the National Post, revealing their deliberate falsification of attendance figures and the subsequent need for correction.

Deliberate Misreporting: A Breach of Trust

During the March For Life rally, Catherine Lévesque approached the interviewee, who was positioned near the speaker’s stage. It is important to note that Lévesque had to navigate through a sizable crowd of over 5,000 people to reach the front of the stage. However, in her National Post column the following day, Lévesque inaccurately claimed that only “hundreds of people” were present at the event. This deliberate misreporting raised concerns about the integrity of the National Post’s reporting.

An Email Exchange: Uncovering the Truth

Upon discovering the factual error, the interviewee promptly contacted Lévesque via email, highlighting the discrepancy and requesting a correction. The interviewee even provided a time-lapse video as evidence, clearly showcasing the substantial number of pro-life protestors marching through downtown Ottawa following the rally. Shockingly, Lévesque’s response admitted to purposefully falsifying attendance numbers and revealed that the National Post follows a policy of downplaying large gatherings. According to Lévesque, the descriptor of “thousands” is reserved exclusively for protests with “tens of thousands” of attendees. This policy raises questions about the principles of honest journalism and the responsibility of reporting the truth.

The Freedom Convoy: A Similar Deception

Disturbingly, the deceptive reporting by the National Post extended beyond the March For Life event. Lévesque revealed that the Freedom Convoy, another significant protest, was subjected to the same manipulation of attendance figures in the newspaper’s coverage. The realization that multiple news reports contained false information intensified the interviewee’s concern and desire for correction.

Seeking Correction: Unsuccessful Endeavor

The interviewee made another attempt to rectify the situation by politely but firmly requesting a correction from Lévesque. Initially, they preferred a non-public resolution, solely aiming to correct the misinformation. Unfortunately, as of the time of writing, 11 days have passed, and the National Post has shown no signs of issuing a correction. Consequently, the only course of action remaining for the interviewee and the Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) is to expose the deceptive journalism practiced by the National Post regarding the National March For Life event.

Promoting Truthfulness in Journalism: Reader Participation

To encourage accountability and truthfulness in reporting, the article urges readers to voice their concerns by filling out the National Post’s feedback form. By expressing disappointment with the misinformation published about the number of attendees at the National March For Life, readers can advocate for a new policy at the newspaper that prioritizes accuracy and integrity.

Widespread Media Bias: March For Life and its Coverage

Regrettably, biased coverage against the March For Life is not limited to the National Post alone. Many mainstream media outlets choose to ignore this significant annual protest altogether, refusing to acknowledge its existence. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) also demonstrated misleading reporting in its coverage, using the word “thousands” while carefully crafting the sentence to obfuscate whether the protestors were advocating for or against abortion. This intentional ambiguity shields the true nature of the protest, where thousands of pro-life supporters oppose abortion while a mere fraction rally in support.

Recognizing the Pattern: Suppressing the Pro-Life Movement

A concerning pattern emerges when examining mainstream media’s avoidance of acknowledging the size and organization of the pro-life movement. The article calls upon readers to pray not only for politicians who choose to remain silent on the issue of abortion but also for journalists and editors who actively contribute to keeping the Canadian public unaware of the movement’s strength and determination.