Archive
17 Apr

Pickton coverage brings backlash

CommentaryHow much information about Robert Pickton’s murder trial is too much information? Tony Burman, editor in chief of CBC News, comments on the public backlash against media coverage of graphic […]

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17 Apr

Pickton judge sets access rules

NewsThe judge presiding over Robert Pickton’s murder trial has instituted a “sensible and practical protocol” to allow journalists to apply for access to exhibits. See the Vancouver Sun report.

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6 Mar

Criminal Code publication bans

Quick Reference The Criminal Code of Canada bans the publication or broadcast of certain information as a criminal case proceeds through the courts, including the identities of some witnesses and […]

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21 Feb

Priest can be named at Cornwall inquiry

NewsAn Ontario Court of Appeal judge has refused to ban publication of the identity of a priest, acquitted of sexual abuse, when he’s named at a public inquiry examining how […]

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21 Feb

Journalists off hook if ban breached

Journalists who reveal banned evidence in news stories can only be convicted of a crime if there’s proof they intentionally set out to violate a publication ban, the Ontario Court […]

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21 Feb

Blogs make mockery of publication bans

Commentary The judge handling Robert William Pickton’s murder trial has issued rulings on what journalists can and can’t report, such as the names of undercover police officers and evidence discussed […]

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19 Feb

TV station in contempt for ban breach

News A British Columbia television station has been fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to violating a court order shielding the identity of an undercover police officer. Kelowna-based CHBC Televisionshowed theofficer […]

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18 Feb

Youth sentencing sessions opened to media

Sentencing conferences convened by youth court judges are part of the court process and open to journalists and members of the public, but concerns about confidentiality and the administration of […]

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18 Feb

Too many publication bans?

FeaturePublication bans British Columbia’s courts have imposed on the high-profile murder prosecutions of Robert Pickton and Kelly Ellard have renewed the debate over suppressing information about criminal cases. Media lawyers […]

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31 Dec

Was the BBC right to broadcast interview with murder suspect?

FeatureDid the BBC risk running afoul of Britain’s contempt of court laws when it aired an interview with a suspect in the Suffolk prostitute murders? BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas […]

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