Update on the Paul Martin story, the reporter who wrote in the WaTimes that Sheikh Nasrallah had promised global suicide attacks. Paul Martin is suing the CBC for defamation for their allegations that he made the story up.
So on one side, Paul Martin and the Washington Times. On the other side, the CBC, the Toronto Star and Hizbullah. We shall see how this plays out.
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Reporter sues Toronto Star, CBC over Hezbollah story
Stewart Bell
National Post
Saturday, December 21, 2002
A British journalist is suing the CBC and Toronto Star for defamation after the news outlets reported that he fabricated an article about the leader of the terrorist group Hezbollah.
Paul Martin, a London-based international correspondent, indicated his intention to sue yesterday in notices sent by his Calgary lawyer to the CBC, the Star and four of their staff.
The legal action is in response to what the law firm Chipeur Advocates called "an attack on Mr. Martin's character" by the taxpayer-funded broadcaster and Toronto's largest local newspaper.
"In a series of broadcasts last week, the CBC claimed that he had deliberately concocted an untrue story about Hezbollah's terrorist objectives, an allegation repeated in the Star," the law firm said in a statement.
"The notice alleges that by disparaging Mr. Martin's objectivity, the CBC and the Star have jeopardized his future as a journalist covering the Middle East, and, according to expert witnesses, has placed his physical safety and life in danger."
The Star said the notice would be "dealt with in the usual fashion." Ruth-Ellen Soles, the CBC spokeswoman, said: "We have just received Mr. Martin's lawyer's letter and are reviewing it."
Writing in the Washington Times two weeks ago, Mr. Martin quoted Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah terrorist leader, as threatening global suicide attacks. The CBC subsequently reported that the comments were probably fabricated.
However, the U.S. university professor who analyzed the sheik's Arab-language speeches and provided the translations to Mr. Martin said Mr. Martin was correct.
The Washington Times has responded to the CBC allegations, saying the newspaper was "on solid ground with the quotes" and claiming the CBC had greatly exaggerated the matter.
The defamation notices say Mr. Martin intends to sue the CBC's Neil Macdonald, Evan Dyer and Anna Maria Tremonti, as well as the Star's media columnist, Antonia Zerbisias.
Critics seized upon the CBC assertions as evidence that Ottawa was duped into placing Hezbollah on Canada's list of terrorist organizations.
nationalpost.com |
