News broke of a lawsuit by the Greek Community of Toronto against the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto and like other media organizations, we chose to report it.
We conducted the usual research that we normally put into a story, which includes researching public documents and gathering any possible statements from both sides.
Getting the Metropolis’ side of the story and giving the Church a chance to respond to the allegations made in the lawsuit was important for our story, and important in keeping with our commitment to our journalistic principles and fairness.
We attempted to contact the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto via telephone before we published our story about the lawsuit, asking for comment and clarification on the contents of the said lawsuit.
I was told that “we will not be speaking to the media” and was abruptly hung up on by an individual at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis offices.
Upon further research for our original story, we did publish a statement by a Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto attorney that was published in a CBC story, categorically denying the allegations. We even linked to that original CBC story that included the attorney’s remarks.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis has asked for media organizations to “retract” the “false allegations” made against the Metropolis and the Metropolitan.
As a point of clarification, the media– and in particular, The Pappas Post, published news of a lawsuit that made its way into the Canadian court system.
This particular media was only doing its job and reporting on breaking news that impacted tens of thousands of Greek Canadians living in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Pappas Post did not make the allegations. The Greek Community of Toronto made the allegations in a public document entered into a court of law.
Therefore, this media will continue doing its job and reporting the news from both sides and any “retractions” that need to be made should be between the Greek Community of Toronto and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis, in the legal system of Canada.
“The media” doesn’t make the news. “The media” only reports it and if they are up to journalistic standards, as we have tried to be when we publish such contentious stories, we have a responsibility to get both sides– which we attempted, but were hung up on by an individual at the Metropolis.
Therefore, in an open response to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, which is requesting a retraction from “the media,” we respond categorically that we have nothing to retract, as we were merely doing our job by attempting to present both sides of a very public story.
Unjustly demonizing the legitimate media is dangerous in a free society and the Metropolis of Toronto’s attempt to point the finger at “the media” and ask for retractions of “false allegations” need to remember who is making the allegations and who the retractions– if the allegations are false– should come from.
Your Eminence and individuals at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, we don’t make the news. We only report it.
This website remains open to speak to anyone who officially represents the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto.
In keeping with our own standards of publishing all sides of a contested story, we have already published in full, the official response by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto here.
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8 comments
Bravo Pappas Post
They hate transparency and accountability, you did nothing wrong as our people say “a clear sky is not afraid of some lightning” if they have nothing to hide why are they so worried.
Thank you for keeping us informed and them honest.
“We don’t make the news-we only report it”..Responsible journalism has been trumped for activism,the rush to be first and not necessarily correct is what is happening in today’s reports. You carried a story from another source not knowing the validity, or the difference between tabloid journalism and responsible journalism. In fact today I can make false accusations about anyone and legally take people to court-while print and online media “Speculate” as to what is going on-all the while I have succeeded in demonising and delegitimising the person I took to court-without any judicial decision taken. Your responsible action should have been to report a law suit initiated by the Toronto Greek Community against the Greek Church-period. anything else is speculation and hearsay. no need to be first…just get it right.
All the rivers of the world would not be enough to wash the dirt and the crimes that Christianity and specially the Orthodox has done to Hellinism. Keep reporting and hopefully some day the Greeks will wake up and leave that anti- Hellenic organization and create other communities away from the church . Follow the Jews learn from them ,
Hello from Chania – Crete and HAPPY HOLIDAYS season.
I am interested in Mr Gregory Pappas e-mail address for passing to him some important info and I would appreciate your attention on that.
Hello Taki you can email me at [email protected]
Good for you.
As a retired journalist with 40+ years experience, and much training in Canadian libel law, I see nothing problematic in your reporting — contrary to one comment. You cite directly with sources, you uses “according to” and “claims,” and you include the critical disclaimer “It is important to note that none of the allegations have been proven in court and no statement of defense has yet been filed by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto.”
Because of this story, I stumbled on your blog/website via Google. I will be a regular visitor.
Thanks!