(Credit: Toronto Star, screenshot)

The Toronto Star and its reporter Dale Brazao were defending a 2008 story against a libel lawsuit last month.

According to the Star, Brazao’s article for the newpaper reported that Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast “employed illegally” a woman named Catherine Manuel, who wasn’t “fed” or “paid properly.”

The Sept. 22, 2008 story was titled “Nanny sent to work as underpaid servant.”  The bed and breakfast owner, Shirley Browne, sued for libel.

But, Brazao is defending his reporting, saying in court that the story was “true five years ago, it’s true today.” Further, the newspaper’s lawyer Paul Schabas called the story a “classic public interest story.”

Under debate during the trial was how Brazao tried to interview Browne.  According to the Star, Brazeo tried to interview her in person, but said she declined an interview and return a phone call. In response, Browne’s lawyer countered asking why Brazao didn’t email his questions to her.

For more on this libel lawsuit and the report in question, check out the Toronto Star‘s report on the trial, which began May 29.

iMediaEthics is reaching out to Browne’s attorney for further comment.