J-Links for June 27: Senator Brazeau vs. Jen Ditchburn; Twitter in B.C. courts okay; Developing media in developing countries

In Canadian media

Youngest senator has worst attendance record and a lapse of judgment on Twitter

Yesterday, Canadian Press Parliament Hill reporter Jen Ditchburn published a story about the attendance record of Conservative senator Patrick Brazeau – who is probably best known for losing a charity boxing match to Liberal MP Justin Trudeau this spring – during this session of Parliament. Turns out he was absent more than any other senator and did not provide a thorough explanation as to why. So he turned to Twitter and, in so many words, called Ditchburn a bitch. As you can imagine, Twitter was not on his side.

B.C. Supreme Court okays Twitter in courtrooms

The B.C. Supreme Court is warming up to social media and allowing accredited journalists and lawyers to send tweets and texts from courtrooms. This has not yet been adopted by the provincial courts, though in the past, it has adopted the Supreme Court’s policies.

Student award being created in memory of Charles Oberdorf

Charles Oberdorf was a respected journalist and teacher, and his friends, family and colleagues are working to create an award in his honour at Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. It’s intended to be an annual award of $1,000 for a student about to complete the Magazine and Web Publishing certificate, and they are hoping to raise $25,000 so that funding for the award can be ensured for years to come.

In international media

Crimes against freedom of expression should have separate status under criminal law: experts

International experts are calling for crimes against freedom of expression to be given separate status under criminal law, with specific penalties. Reporters Without Borders commends the declarations, that it says would provide journalists – both professional and citizen – with better protection.   

Today’s read

Developing viable media in developing markets

Today’s read is a lengthy academic report from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers and the Swedish International Development Agency on creating financially viable media in developing countries and markets. The report, written by Columbia University’s Anne Nelson, though published last year, provides some interesting insights into the troubles that media face in countries of varying stages of economic development, and specifically, the role of digital media in developing countries.