Article content

TORONTO — The Toronto Star says it gave Toronto Mayor Rob Ford more than a dozen chances to respond to allegations that he was filmed smoking what appears to be crack cocaine before publishing a front-page story about the scandal.

The newspaper defended its reporting of the story this morning before the Ontario Press Council, which is looking into reader complaints about the coverage.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Rob Ford was given 14 chances to respond to story on alleged video, paper tells complaint hearing Back to video

Editor-in-chief Michael Cooke told the three-member panel that reporters made at least 14 attempts to reach the mayor the night before the story ran.

He said Ford — who did not attend today’s hearing — has yet to substantively address the allegations and has instead spent recent months “ducking and dodging” questions on the issue.

The council is weighing whether the newspaper “engaged in irresponsible, unethical investigative reporting.”

A second hearing is scheduled this afternoon to address complaints against a Globe and Mail article about the alleged drug dealings of Ford’s brother — Toronto city councillor Doug Ford.