In more news from the democracy front...

Christina Spencer, a serious journalist with an excellent reputation, was mysteriously barred from attending a lunch in Ottawa by China's foreign minister today. All kinds of other news outlets, including the Star, were permitted to attend.

Update: It seems that the Star's reporter on the scene, bureau chief Bruce Campion-Smith,  faced some pushback when he tried to cover the speech and Canadian Press may have been turned away too.