TORONTO - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says freedom of the media is a cornerstone of democracy.
Harper, who is known for his sometimes prickly relationship with reporters, made the comments Saturday night at an ethnic media awards dinner north of Toronto
In prepared remarks to be delivered to the event in Markham, he said freedom for Canadians goes hand-in-hand with journalistic freedom.
He says the liberty of Canadians is strengthened when journalists are free to pursue the truth, "shine light into dark corners" and help hold governments accountable.
But the prime minister's staff said before the speech that he would not be take questions from reporters at the dinner, which was organized by the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada.
He has yet to comment on explosive allegations that top government officials knew about the torture of Afghans taken prisoner by Canadian soldiers and handed off to Afghan forces.
