Lamentable TVA-mosque episode serves as a cautionary tale

It was not quite a year ago that Quebecers were shocked and deeply saddened by a gunman’s attack on a Quebec City mosque. Six people were killed and several more wounded in the Jan. 29 assault.

As we all struggled to come to terms with how such a thing could happen here, as vigils were held and solidarity expressed, much remorse was heard over the fear-mongering and prejudicial discourse about Muslims that had become all too common.

And, it seems, remains so.

The unfounded accusations involving two Côte-des-Neiges mosques scandalously reported as fact by TVA last week unleashed an outpouring of hatred and prejudice that, among other things, shows too little has been learned. Worshippers at the mosques were left fearing for their safety.

Too many people, among them politicians, were quick to believe and comment on the report, which initially alleged that there was a written agreement to exclude during Friday prayers female construction workers from a project underway near the mosques. A day after the initial report, unable to make good on its earlier affirmation that the request was in black and white, TVA then suggested it was verbal. All the while, mosque representatives vehemently denied they were aware of any such requests having been made.

Then, late Thursday night, after an investigation by the Quebec Construction Commission found no evidence whatsoever that there was any truth to the allegations, TVA issued a clarification, admitting that it could no longer stand by its story and saying the situation seems to have been the result of a major “imbroglio” among those involved.

Finally, Friday, TVA issued an apology and said it is conducting an internal investigation.

Meanwhile, the damage has been done. Particularly in this era of “fake news,” it is imperative that news organizations redouble their efforts to ensure the accuracy of what they report. All news organizations make mistakes. However when they do, it is crucial that they own up to them, both for the sake of decency and for their own credibility. TVA was right to apologize, however belatedly.

It is also imperative that, at a time when there is recognition of the important role journalists play in our democracy, that journalists hold themselves accountable. Coincidentally, the mosque story fell apart the same day that the Chamberland Commission, created in the wake of revelations of police spying on journalists, issued its report, among other things calling for better protections for journalists and their sources. With privileges come responsibility.

This lamentable episode should serve as a cautionary tale.