television - edmonton television news 2007 - who is that man?

Before joining CHED about a decade ago, Christopher spent 14 years with CBC Radio News and CBC Radio Current Affairs in Edmonton. He also taught journalism at NAIT for a while.

During his career he's had assignments from Nicaragua to Nepal, and lived in Australia and Finland for a few years. Christopher once wrote a story for the Pakistan News Service on how the Afghanistan war was viewed by a Canadian reporter (Byron).

When an editor told him his story had been picked up by a Pakistan newspaper Christopher asked that payment go to a needy Pakistani journalism student.

Byron Christopher seen working beside another reporter with an international career, Jim Farrell (formerly of the Edmonton Journal).

In 1991 Christopher received an award for outstanding investigative journalism from the Canadian Association of Journalists for his probe of a double homicide in Saskatchewan.

Over the years, Christopher has had many exclusive interviews with people accused of high-profile crimes including David Milgaard, Michael White, Joseph Laboucan, Colin Thatcher, Wiebo Ludwig, and Leo Teskey.

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Christopher has faced six search warrants and three subpoenas related to his reporting over the last 15 years. Most recently, in October 2006, Edmonton Police served 630 CHED with a search warrant for information related to the second-degree murder case against Michael White. A copy of the search warrant can be seen here.

(For more details not widely reported about the White-related search warrant, read Michael Simpson's November 2006 Vegreville Observer article which highlights CHED's possible conflict of interest with the Edmonton Police Service – opens as a .txt file).

Earlier, in February 2005, Christopher reported that two witnesses claimed an Edmonton Police officer taunted them and pulled out his baton outside the courthouse. The reporter later found out his name was run through the Canadian Police Information Centre database.

Christopher subsequently made a freedom of information request to Edmonton police to determine if officers had breached his privacy rights by improperly accessing his personal information in the confidential police database. At last word, he was still awaiting a response.

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630 CHED refused to run the story, as did Global and the Edmonton Journal. Because of his long-ingrained loyalty to his audience, Christopher filed the story at www.rabble.ca, an online news site.

The first story appeared in March 2002, with a follow-up appearing a few months later in November.

The Talisman story was eventually picked up by The Financial Times in London, England and later by major wire services – including Associated Press, Canadian Press and Reuters. It was only then that Alberta-based media touched the story, albeit in limited form.

For more about this event and a fascinating look into how the media really works, read the Spring 2004 edition of the Ryerson Review of Journalism. The article can also be viewed in its print form (opens as a large .bmp file).

Calgary-based Alberta Views magazine reviewed the Talisman story in their June 2006 issue. The article (which can be viewed here as a large .bmp file) also illustrated the ethical challenge Christopher faced in getting the Talisman story out when his then employer (630 CHED) refused to air it.

Also for rabble.ca, Christopher wrote a media primer called The ABCs of Unbiased News Coverage which is as relevant today as when it was first published in 2001.

Citing the fate of an Edmonton journalist taking exception to White House jingoism, Christopher detailed the hijacking of media integrity when it came to covering foreign policy as exercised by the George W. Bush administration.

“People aren't stupid. They have the right to be given the facts. They don't want cheerleading journalism," Christopher quoted a CBC news producer in the story.

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According to his own web site - www.jayson-blair.com - Blair is a self-confessed manic depressive and suffers from bipolar disorder. His story is about – in equal parts – his own mental illness and an industry without checks and balances.

Despite an increasingly-mounting track record of incompetence, Blair rose through the ranks of journalism and succeeded at the New York Times through "a series of management and operation breakdowns" and "a stunning lack of communication within the newsroom" of one of America's most respected newspapers. Allegations of "cronyism" surfaced, along with a suggestion that affirmative action hiring was partly to blame.

Blair was forced to resign in May 2003 and the New York Times held an internal investigation. For a summary of the matter, visit the Wikipedia Jayson Blair entry.

When Christopher heard of the Blair firing and the reasons behind it, he wrote an open letter that not only underscored his own values regarding journalism – but exposed still-ongoing practices in the radio news business, including those in Edmonton.

Christopher's letter is reprinted below – with permission.

An Open Letter to Jayson Blair – fired NYT Reporter

by Byron Christopher

June 2003

A lot has been said about your reporting for the Times, how you faked headlines, submitted phony expense claims and most damning of all – stole the work of other reporters: plagiarism.

Your name has now become a lightning rod of sorts for dishonest reporting. That's a bummer. Don't fret, Mr. Blair. There's a new career waiting for you – in radio news.

You'll fit right in. You'll be happy to know that in most radio newsrooms in the U.S. and Canada, it's accepted practice to steal the work of other reporters. Unlike your old bosses at the New York Times, management at radio stations will welcome you with open arms. That's because you'll save them a pile of money.

Plagiarism is as common in radio news as corruption in law enforcement in Mexico. Perhaps that's not a fair analogy: Mexican police can't be that bad.

Theft in the radio business shouldn't come as a big surprise to you. From time to time, on your morning drive to work in New York, surely you heard on the radio news stories you'd written the day before. Bet there's not a print reporter in North America who hasn't tuned a station in and had that gnawing feeling, “Hmmm ... where'd they get that story?”

Perhaps you wondered how a radio station (with fewer reporters than the Times' mailroom has staff) could match the big stories of the Times, the Post and other New York newspapers – at 6AM? Well, now you know. Those stories were often lifted, scalped ... you know, stolen.

It's been going on a long time. It just that no one talks about it. This may be the first time you've ever read about it.

The Concise Oxford dictionary says plagiarism is taking and using another person's thoughts (or) writings as one's own. The Merriam Webster's Collegiate dictionary defines plagiarize as “to use a created production without crediting the source.”

More than dictionaries warn reporters about literary theft. So do textbooks used by broadcast journalism schools, although the part on plagiarism is sometimes skipped over. Newspapers print warnings to help protect against theft of their material. The Edmonton Journal prominently posts the following warning on page A2: “The contents of this newspaper are protected by copyright and may be used only for personal, non-commercial purposes.”

Journal Publisher Linda Hughes says she doesn't mind if radio reporters use their material – as long as they get credit.

So it's pretty clear. If you lift stuff out of the papers, give attribution. It's dumb not to attribute, really. If a reporter can't match the story or independently verify the information, why wouldn't they want to tell their listeners where it came from?

Should you land a job in radio news, here are a few pointers on how to ... how do I put this tastefully ... “play the game."

* Never announce you're about to plagiarize a story from the papers. God, no. Plagiarism sounds too much like stealing. Better “lift” or “scalp”, perhaps “rewrite” a story. Plagiarizing is what poor university students sometimes get caught doing, before they get kicked out of class and become the focus of national stories – including radio news stories lifted from newspapers. Funny how that works.

* Never scalp a newspaper story word-for-word. If you do that, you're not only a thief – but a lazy one. Take a tip from car thieves: repaint that sucker or strip it down (makes it harder to tell where it came from).

* Be careful with direct quotes. At six in the morning, even the most trusting listener will wonder how you got quotes identical to what's in the morning paper. You don't want to make it too obvious. I mean, what if companies got wind they were sponsoring a plagiarized newscast? They might demand refunds. That would be another public relations disaster.

* It's okay to use stories from a wire service your radio station subscribes to. The wire service has permission to run stories from certain news organizations and to pass them on to member stations, for a fee. With wire stories you may want to give the original source credit, out of professional courtesy. Just to warn you, some people in radio news management don't want it known that Pam Coulter doesn't work for them, but actually works for ABC News in New York; same for Steve Fairbairn of Broadcast News in Toronto. It's an image thing. Like much of the news media, a good impression is just as important as good information.

From time to time you'll be doing stories on petty thieves. You might feel awkward about this at first, but the more you do it the easier it becomes. Think of it as a good “career move."

You may wonder why more radio reporters and newsreaders don't give attribution. Seems like an easy thing to do, and it is. Think ‘image' again. Some radio stations want to give the impression they have lots of reporters and their newsrooms are on top of things. Truth is, most stations have few reporters out on the street chasing stories. Some radio newsrooms have no field reporters at all; perhaps a news reader or two, and that's it.

In a city the size of Edmonton (with a population of about 1 million, served by more than two dozen radio stations), there may be one field reporter working weekends. That's one radio field reporter to cover the entire city. In fact, Edmonton has more radio stations than radio field-reporters and I suspect the city is not unique.

Don't waste your time applying for a reporting job at most FM radio stations, because few have their own newsrooms anymore. Times have changed. If you're applying for work in Canada, keep in mind the laws here have changed too. Canadians can thank the former Conservative government of Brian Mulroney for amendments to broadcast regulations more than a decade ago that paved the way for owners of radio stations to cut back on newscasts – and reporters. Combined with the new right of owners to own several radio stations in the same market, it was the end of many broadcast newsrooms. For a good number of reporters, it was a golden opportunity for a career change.

By scalping, you actually provide a valuable service to the radio industry. More than ever, there's a strong demand for reporters who steal. Plagiarism plays a vital part in the healthy bottom line of a radio station, although I'm sure you won't see reference to that in any mission statement.

Hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of stories is stolen from newspapers each year. This is money newspapers have invested in salaries, travel, equipment, phone calls, rent, etc. Do the math: it takes a good radio hack only 30 minutes to steal half a dozen stories. Try and find a body shop worker who can spray paint half a dozen cars in an hour. Fat chance. Over a month, a radio radio plagiarist can steal news stories that far exceed the value of a Lexus.

Don't look for newspaper owners to take stations to court to help recoup their losses. Why this is, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's because newspapers and radio stations are involved in so many ‘cross-promotions' or that stations spend good coin on newspaper advertising. Money talks, and legal action is expensive. Embarrassing too: it would sure put a damper on media executive get-togethers on the golf course.

If you continue plagiarizing on a regular basis, take a tip from the mob and find some “moral cover”. Help a charitable foundation. Better yet, frequent a house of worship. If you plunk yourself down in church every week, who will suspect you're a thief?

If you are still bothered by all this, take comfort in knowing the practice has been going on for a long, long time. It's the original recycling program. Some editors think plagiarism should not be taught in journalism school because it's not applicable anymore. If you are still uneasy, ask yourself ... why would management allow the practice if it's underhanded? Part of a good con game is that you sometimes have to fool yourself.

Keep in mind you're providing a valuable service – not necessarily to the public, perhaps – but certainly to the broadcast owners. Remember, the bottom line here is not free-flow of information and healthy competition, but profits. Stealing saves money. That may sound crass, but it's true. Some people believe it's cheaper to steal than to buy or produce (that's the general idea behind, say, stealing cars). The more stories you “lift” from other news organizations, the fewer reporters that are needed.

Generally speaking, to work radio news and not plagiariaze is not a good career move, especially if you're doing a morning run.

Another tip: when you start your new job, not a word about “ethics”. Don't ask stupid, booby-trapped questions like “Hey, where is our code of ethics?" That's like working at Fox Television and suggesting a story on President Bush's conviction for drunk-driving, or asking if “regime change” violates the UN Charter. Again, not a good career move.

If you are applying for work in Canada, keep in mind there are two main journalist organizations up here ... the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) and the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). After 20 years, both now have a code of ethics or a “statement of principles.” In the CAJ's statement of principles, we find this on plagiarism: “There is no copyright on news or ideas once a story is in the public domain, but if we can't match the story, we will credit the originating source.” Sounds serious, but relax. Some CAJ members regularly plagiarize. I bring this to your attention to again illustrate just how common the practice is. These organizations are not likely to audit the source of radio newscasts to make sure things are on the up and up.

Never point out in your application to a radio station you no longer plagiarize. That's the dumbest thing you could do. Your resume will hit the garbage before, well, a hack has had time to scalp another story.

In recent years, Jayson Blair has re-gained public acceptance as an advocate for the mentally ill.

Byron Christopher, who was employed by 630 CHED at the time the letter was written, continues to work as a free-lance journalist in Edmonton.

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The story ran in the Edmonton Sun – ironically on the same day his former employer switched its CHQT radio station from an oldies music sound to iNews880, an all news format. The Toft interview garnered attention from media across Canada.

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The photograph was alleged to have been taken with a 35mm camera stolen from Dougald Miller.

Miller was assaulted on November 21st, 2000 in an apartment building he owned at 9524 114 Avenue. He was later discovered lying in a pool of blood by a mailman.

The 61-year-old man's skull and ribs had been fractured, one of his ears had been ripped off, and the beating left his brain bruised and bleeding. His suite had been broken into and among the items stolen was a camera.

Miller remained in a coma for 11 months after the attack and continues to live in a facility where he receives round-the-clock nursing care. He can only communicate by blinking.

For more about Dougald Miller and the man in the photograph, visit the Leo Teskey page.

One lawyer told Christopher that the publication of the photograph may greatly hurt Teskey's chances at the dangerous offender hearing set for February 2009.

The Last Link on the Left contacted Christopher to learn a bit more about the story behind the photograph – and his experiences covering the Dougald Miller and Leo Teskey stories.

Below are Christopher's recollections – in his own words.

A few years ago I visited beating victim Dougald Miller at the Norwood Extended Care Center. I saw the man could communicate by blinking his eyes – one blink for NO, two blinks for YES. That's where I got the idea to show him a photograph of Leo Teskey.

At the time, Teskey was being held at the Edmonton Remand Center, waiting for his dangerous offender hearing to begin after being found guilty of aggravated-assault. I told Teskey of my plan to show Miller a recent photo of him and I asked him if he had something better than the 1988 "file photo." He said he did, and I got it.

Soon after I got the photo, I returned to Norwood. With Lesley Miller witnessing the exchange, I asked her bedridden husband if the man in red was his attacker, or one of his attackers. Dougald Miller repeatedly indicated 'YES!' The man was clearly excited to be able to identify Leo Teskey.

I also asked Dougald Miller if he'd been attacked by one man only. He blinked 'NO.' Two men only? He blinked 'YES.' Three men only? 'NO.' I asked Miller if he knew who the second man in the photo was, and he indicated 'NO.'

Knowing Dougald Miller's reputation for not being afraid to take on punks – and Teskey's size – I asked Miller if he was hit from behind. He blinked 'YES.' Finallly, I asked Miller if he thought he knew his second attacker and he said 'NO.'

Each question was asked three times. Every time Miller's response was the same.

When Dougald Miller got tired, I stopped asking him questions.

Mrs. Miller wanted to know where I got the Leo Teskey party photograph, and I told her. She then said it was the same photo police had shown her, soon after they picked up Teskey. She went on to explain her husband's 35mm camera had been stolen from his office right after the attack and that police found the camera in Teskey's apartment.

She said it was EPS that developed the roll of film inside the camera. Leo Teskey did tell me who was in the picture with him, and be damned if I can remember who that guy is.

I don't know Leo Teskey well. We've spoken perhaps a dozen times – and only over the phone at that – so I can't begin to guess why he would hand over a photograph that could incriminate him and blow his chances of beating a dangerous offender rap all to hell.

I can only guess – and I stress guess – that he gambled Dougald Miller (a) wouldn't recognize or remember him and (b) if he did, he couldn't communicate that information. But Dougald Miller indicated Teskey was his attacker, and I immediately did a story on it.

The story of Dougald Miller's identifying Leo Teskey was broadcast on 630 CHED, where I worked at the time. I don't know if any other media outlet at the time picked up on this. I know Teskey did, because he phoned. He said he heard the story, but I believe that's all he said.

I didn't release the Teskey "party" photograph until recently.

I've been around to see Dougald Miller the odd time, in the hopes of finding out more about the attack. I tried showing him letters of the alphabet to spell out words, but this exhausted him.

One time I turned off the television so we wouldn't have any interference and he yelled loudly. I guess he was a big fan of golf and a golf tournament was playing on TV.

Whether photograph has any effect remains to be seen. What is certain is that Byron Christopher still has a knack for news ... and remains a reporter worth watching out for.

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After living – some say hiding out – in the Netherlands for more than fifteen years, Anton Rapati was arrested at his brother's house the day after a woman spotted the senior attending a St. Albert church.

Christopher, who had been working on the story since September 2007, met with the accused child-rapist at the Edmonton Remand Centre on October 3rd, 2008.

Rapati told Christopher he will plead 'not guilty' when he appears in court. In a 30-minute meeting, the 85-year-old maintained his innocence and told Christopher he doesn't know why police would charge him. He confirmed the RCMP picked him up at his brother's place in St. Albert in September. He said a Mountie came to the door and told him he was going for a ride. Rapati said he was taken to the RCMP station in St. Albert and charged.

In January 2007, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Rapati after an Edmonton man, now in his early 40s, told police he had been repeatedly raped and tortured by Rapati. The attacks allegedly happened in the 1970s, starting when the child was six.

The former gardener for the City of St. Albert had been living in Volendam, Netherlands for the past 15 years. He told Christopher he had no idea police were looking for him. He said while living in the Netherlands he was never questioned by either Canadian or Dutch law enforcement.

Rapati also claims he freely travelled to Canada, many times. He said he flew to Canada once or twice a year but was never detained or questioned by the authorities.

The senior also confirmed details of published reports that he frequenty travelled to Germany and Romania without interference.

Police say Rapati fled Canada in 1993, just before he was set to go to trial on charges of sexually assaulting children. Rapati says he was under the impression those charges had been dealt with.

Rapati described his health as good. He says he's being treated well at the Remand Centre, although he said when he was first put into the detention facility he had to stand for ten hours. He told the reporter he complained to guards that he got better treatment when he was a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp.

Rapati also talked about the jobs he had in Alberta and British Columbia, and that he had been involved with the Boy Scouts in both provinces.

Note: since this interview was conducted reporter Christopher has been "warned off" by Rapati's lawyer, Mona Duckett.

For more about the story, visit the Last Link Anton Rapti page.

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