Ontario court asked to find cops posing as journalists a charter breach

TORONTO – Three media organizations are asking an Ontario court to declare that provincial police officers who pose as journalists are violating the Constitution.

They say the practice runs afoul of press freedoms guaranteed by the charter of rights.

The organizations say such impersonation puts working journalists in danger – especially in tense situations such as protests.

They also say it will make it harder to cover stories because suspicious sources may not be willing to open up.

Ontario Provincial Police say such impersonation happens rarely and now requires specific approval from senior officials.

The justice hearing the case is wondering whether there is in fact a practice of officers pretending to be members of the media.