Year / 2007

NewsThe Toronto Star is appealing a northern Ontario jury’s $1.475 million libel award –one of the highest in Canadian history – over an article describing a wealthy local businessman’s plans to expand his personal lakeside golf course. The Star argues…

FeatureWhen a Toronto broker sues a national newspaper for libel, no one leaves the room smiling. Mary Findlater explores the case of Mark McQueen versus the National Post in the Ryerson Review of Journalism.…

CommentaryThe Supreme Court of Canada has denied leave to appeal from the Ontario Court of Appeal decision in the case of Bangoura v. Washington Post. The decision finally decides that Bangoura’s Internet-libel claim cannot proceed in Ontario and cements an…

FeatureCharles LeBlanc fights for bloggers to share press privileges– and rights. Vanessa Green, writing in the King’s Journalism Review, explores how the Internet is changing the definition of journalist.…

NewsTwo San Francisco Chronicle reporters have been cleared of contempt of court for refusing to name a source who leaked secret grand jury testimony about steroid use by major league baseball players. The reporters still refuse to identify their source…

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 pre-trial evidence that could taint a jury. Roger McConchie, who…

CommentaryIn the wake of the Maher Arar case, Toronto Star columnist Kelly Toughill looks at the pitfalls reporters and editors face when using anonymous sources. Respected news outlets printed false allegations about Arar gleaned from anonymous sources. There have been…

FeatureA recent British libel ruling could change things for media outlets and the people who sue them – and not just over there. Canadian journalist and their legal advisors are taking a close look at a House of Lords ruling…