The Hamilton Spectator is reporting that there will be no appeal of the ruling that overturned a contempt of court conviction against a Hamilton reporter.
A spokesman for the Attorney General’s office said yesterday that the decision will not be challenged.
On Monday the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a 2004 ruling against Ken Peters for refusing to divulge the identity of a confidential source during a civil trial in Hamilton. The judge in that case convicted Peters of contempt of court and ordered the Hamilton Spectator to pay more than $31,000 in legal fees.
The appeal court ruling, which will not be challenged,  acknowledged reporters’ charter rights,  but stopped short of protecting journalists with a comprehensive shield law.