Williams threatens lawsuit over media coverage

St. John's - Premier Danny Williams has launched a series of attacks on members of the news media over their coverage of the province's cancer-testing scandal, and threatened to sue the CBC over a recent story on its flagship newscast, The National.

Williams said he has demanded a retraction from The National for a report aired last week.

"What CBC National did last week - and we'll give them the benefit of the doubt, we'll see what their retraction is going to be, if there is going to be a retraction, if not they'll have a lawsuit on their hands, I can tell you that," Williams told a media scrum at Confederation Building Monday.

"But to imply that (former health) minister (John) Ottenheimer, and/or the premier's office - which is my staff and me, presumably - sat on information, kept it undercover and prevented it from going to people whose health was going to be adversely affected, whose lives could be lost, is irresponsible and disgraceful."

The premier said any such lawsuit would likely be filed on behalf of the provincial government, not him personally, although he would leave the final decision to the Department of Justice.

CBC's head of media relations, Jeff Keay, e-mailed The Telegram a statement declining comment, other than to note that "given the seriousness of Premier Williams' comments, we are in the process of evaluating them carefully."

Williams did not cite specific reporters or media outlets for many of his other allegations, and did not provide proof substantiating those alleged transgressions.

"Victims, patients are being harassed by reporters," Williams charged. He then suggested to a specific CBC reporter that "you know about this."

Williams also criticized reports that he acknowledged were accurate, suggesting they weren't helpful to the provincial cause.

He mentioned a Transcontinental Media story - later picked up and run by The Globe and Mail - about the findings of a January 2007 consultant's report that outlined difficulties for Newfoundland and Labrador in attracting pathologists. The article cited the consultant's findings of low pay and poor retention rates.

"That was an accurate story," Williams said. "But the problem is, that just makes it tougher for us to recruit doctors, and pathologists, and physicians. And as a result it affects health care. And a result it affects patient care, and we have a lower quality of service."

The provincial Liberal Opposition said it does not support Williams' threats to sue the CBC.

"I think we all realize as politicians there are sometimes going to be issues that we don't agree with the tone and flavour of the information that's being reported," Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones said.

"I'm sure I've felt that on many occasions. But I've never taken it to the courts, or taken it out in the form of a lawsuit, so I guess that's going to be his choice at the end of the day. I just don't think it's necessary."

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael said the media has a difficult role in asking "the hard questions" of government.

"That's part of life, and I'd be upset if media weren't pursuing questions."

Michael said she saw the CBC report in question, and said one specific line - about the length of time it took for problems to be disclosed - was "careless" and should have been more precise.

"But that was the only thing that struck me when I heard it - the rest of it seemed accurate to me," Michael said.

She added, "I'd better be careful, because I might get sued for saying that."