The independent volunteer media platform called The North Star condemned the arrest of one of its volunteer journalists during her coverage of protests against the "CANSEC" military industries exhibition, which took place in Ottawa on May 28.

The organization stated in a press release that journalist Ramona Murphy was filming Ottawa police officers as they dispersed the protest when she was stopped, becoming one of 13 demonstrators arrested during those events. The police reported that 12 of the detainees were apprehended near the EY Center, where the exhibition was being held, after protesters temporarily closed "Uplands Drive."

According to the statement, the police threatened Murphy with charges of "mischief" and "resisting arrest," but she was released after eight hours without any formal charges being filed.

The North Star described the arrest as a "direct attack on press freedom," emphasizing that “citizen journalists are just as important as any professional journalist.”

Bruno Le Hérit, the organization's spokesperson, stated that those documenting protests or seeking to uncover the truth "should be treated with respect and protected from the risk of arrest," adding, "If we are living in a democratic system, we must demonstrate that in practice."

This incident occurred amid rising discussions about the freedom of press coverage at protest sites, especially when it involves volunteer or independent journalists.