MONTREAL — A well-known foreign correspondent in Quebec says he is “stunned” by a newspaper report alleging he fabricated information in several of his stories over the years.
The report in Montreal’s La Presse newspaper alleges François Bugingo did not visit several places at the times he claimed and falsified his involvement in several international incidents including a hostage negotiation.
The newspaper says it based its story in part on a number of interviews with people from some of the places that Bugingo said he reported from.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Bugingo described the article as “degrading,” and wrote that the information he presents in his stories is “always verified.”
He said he will defend his integrity and respond to the specific allegations against him.
One of Bugingo’s employers, 98.5 radio, announced it was suspending its collaboration with him while it looks into the allegations in La Presse. In a separate statement, television network TVA announced a similar action.
