Role of the journalist as advocate

Over a decade ago journalist Laura Robinson broke this story of alleged abuse against Indigenous children at a school in Burns Lake, B.C.. The man at the centre of the allegations is someone who had risen to international prominence in the sports world. 

It's been a tale of twists and turns with the RCMP investigating the abuse allegations and declining to press charges. Robinson and the accused took turns to sue each other for defamation. Finally, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal took up the case and just handed down a decision. 

And despite the fact that over the last decade nearly every major broadcaster in the country has printed and broadcast the name of the alleged abuser, we no longer can. There's now a publication ban in effect.

Is this the final chapter in the story?

Laura Robinson joins us today.

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Additional music by Audio Network 

More information:

• Human Rights Tribunal orders RCMP to pay Burns Lake day school survivors — CBC
• Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Decision
• Diocese of Prince George facing ten sexual assault lawsuits — CKPG Today
• ‘Afraid to come forward’: Lawyer representing sexual assault claimants says many clients are ashamed to tell their story — CKPG Today

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