Global News journalist reports threats, harassment by a "gun owner"
Rachel Gilmore blames 'enablers' on Twitter for exacerbating threats to her family
Global News reporter Rachel Gilmore says she was threatened by someone ‘who owns guns’ and has attacked her critics on social media as ‘enabling’ such threats.
In a Twitter post, Gilmore wrote, “Last night, someone who clearly owns guns directly threatened and harassed my entire family.”
Requests for an interview and for details about the incident have thus far received no response. It’s unclear whether the alleged ‘harasser’ was armed at the time, whether it was man or woman, or how Gilmore knew this person, ‘clearly owns guns?’
Gilmore writes, “I'm speaking to police about this, but it's already forcing my loved ones to take precautions. You can disagree with my reporting. You can critique it. But don't threaten my family.”
It’s unclear as to how she knew this individual was a critic of her reporting. Repeated requests for more information are still awaiting a response.
There are other questions which have arisen from this incident including: What precautions has her family taken? Where and when did this incident take place? Is there a police report available?
Journalist Elizabeth Renzetti responded to Gilmore’s post by writing, “This is beyond awful. I'm so sorry, Rachel. I'm glad you're speaking out on behalf of yourself and all the other journalists being threatened, but I know it must take a toll. Your work is valued.”
Gilmore blames those who cast doubts about her story online for making matters worse.
She writes, “To the people who are enabling this, justifying and diminishing these threats: I hope you know you had a hand in making this worse.”
One respondent; Paul Thompson wrote, “I don't believe a word you say but if it is true that's awful. Maybe you should get out of the public eye for a while.”
Gilmore has drawn the ire of some conservatives over her stories attempting to link CPC Leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre to right wing extremists.