[URBAN NOTE] "Rob Ford celebrates World Press Freedom Day, does not take reporters’ questions"

[rfmcdonald]

When the right-wing National Post comes up with such a bitingly ironic headline for Natalie Alcoba's article on Mayor Rob Ford, it's a safe bet that it's slipping. (And when, as here, the comments seem to be equally divided between supporters and opponents of the mayor, something's up.)

Mayor Rob Ford joined members of Canada’s ethnic press at City Hall on Monday to emphasize “the need to respect press freedom.”

The occasion marked the United Nation’s World Press Freedom Day, which was May 3.

“The day serves as a reminder that violations of press freedom occur in countries around the world where journalists, editors, publishers are harassed, detained, attacked and killed,” said Mayor Ford, who has himself been embroiled in a public dispute with the Toronto Star after a confrontation with a reporter outside his home last week.

The Mayor has threatened not to take part in press conferences if a Star reporter is present. Mr. Ford accuses Star reporter Daniel Dale of spying on his house.

Mr. Dale denies the allegation, saying he was in the area last Wednesday to inspect a piece of parkland that the Mayor wants to purchase next to his house.

The Mayor did not take questions after he read the proclamation on Monday.