Archive
24 Feb

Is law enforcement turning journalists into agents of state surveillance?

<p><strong>By Thomas Rose, Law Editor</strong></p><p>They’re called "production orders" and they signal what may be a growing trend among law enforcement agencies to co-opt journalists into becoming agents of state surveillance.</p><p>Production orders occur when a judge agrees to a police request to compel media outlets to surrender material obtained by journalists in the course of preparing their news reports. </p>

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15 Jul

David Skok on Nelson Mandela and the importance of press freedom

<p><strong>By <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/701060/mandela-and-the-importance-of-press-freedom/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Skok</a></strong></p><p>Nelson Mandela left a mark on all South Africans. Here is my story.</p><p>I was lucky to meet Nelson Mandela once. It was in November 2001, and he was in Canada receiving an honourary degree from Ryerson University.</p>

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3 Jun

Toronto Star reporter arrested after photographing Union Station scuffle

<p><strong>By Grant Buckler</strong></p><p>Toronto police arrested a <em>Toronto Star</em> reporter, put him in a headlock and handcuffed him for taking pictures after a GO Transit officer was injured in a scuffle at Union Station, the <em>Star</em> <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/06/03/toronto_star_reporter_arrested_ticketed_after_taking_photos_of_injured_go_transit_officer.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>.</p>

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3 May

CJFE Freedom of Expression Review cites many problems, some good signs

<p><strong>By Grant Buckler</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.cjfe.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canadian Journalists for Free Expression</a> has released its annual <a href="https://cjfe.org/resources/features/2013review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Review of Free Expression in Canada</a>, surveying free expression and access to information issues and grading various institutions from A to F on their performance in the past year.</p><p>“Freedom of expression in Canada truly does span the spectrum from head of the class to flunking out,” the report observes.</p>

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2 May

Maher, McGregor win World Press Freedom Award

<p>Postmedia News' Stephen Maher and Glen McGregor of the <em>Ottawa Citizen</em> have been named recipients of the World Press Freedom Award. </p>

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2 May

Opinion: On Brian Burke, journalism and Internet anonymity

<p><strong>By Thomas Rose</strong></p><p>Let’s face it; the reason most people are talking about Brian Burke right now is because he’s a well known powerful member of the hockey world who is defending himself against allegations of sexual impropriety involving a younger, attractive sportscaster who is not his wife.  If the case ever makes it to trial, and most cases involving defamation do not, the outcome will likely hinge on how the defence frames the issue. </p>

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24 Apr

CAJ Code of Silence – Call for nominations

<p>It's time to get even with that publicly funded government, department or agency whose information is kept in the murky shadows.”</p>

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15 Apr

Commentary: What does the twitter ban in Quebec courtrooms mean for freedom of expression?

<p><strong>By J-Source Law Editor Thomas Rose</strong></p><p>Quebec is the latest jurisdiction to introduce guidelines for the use of electronic devices from inside a courtroom.  <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/quebec-bans-twitter-from-courtrooms/article11197529/">As of today</a>, lawyers and reporters are barred from tweeting, texting, or e-mailing any information about court proceedings while those proceedings happen.  </p>

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8 Apr

University of Windsor Student Alliance calls emergency meeting after outcry over decision to end print publication of campus paper The Lance

<p><strong>By Tamara Baluja</strong></p><p>The University of Windsor Student Alliance has pulled the plug on the print publication of the campus paper <em>The Lance</em>.</p><p>The 85-year-old newspaper was ordered to end all its print productions immediately, following a decision made last Wednesday. But following student outcry and a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/canadianuniversitypress/posts/185926254891995">Facebook compaign</a> to save the newspaper, the board of directors called an emergency open meeting Monday at 4:30 p.m.</p>

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2 Apr

Journalist’s reporting style not suitable topic for closed-door council meetings: Ontario Ombudsman

<p><strong>By Alexandra Posadzki</strong></p><p>A journalist in the rural community of Clinton, Ont. claims a local councillor tried to have her banned from covering council meetings, a subject the Ontario Ombudsman deemed illegal for an in camera meeting.</p><p>If the allegation is true, it would constitute an attack on the Charter-guaranteed right to freedom of the press, says one journalism expert.</p>

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