Columns

Kathy English, the Toronto Star's public editor, questions why journalists are being blocked in obtaining information that would have been readily available to them had they been in public court to witness the proceedings.

Continue Reading Star public editor: Reporters struggle to pry records out of court clerks

A complainant accused CBC of siding with the supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in its coverage of demonstrations in Toronto. During the height of the unrest in Egypt, she thought only a pro-Morsi rally had been covered in Toronto when a group of Coptic Christians held a rally the same week end. In fact, CBC had a story about the Coptic demonstration on The National, and all platforms had provided coverage of the concerns of the community here as well as stories about attacks on churches in Egypt, writes the CBC ombudsman Esther Enkin.

Continue Reading Ombudsman: CBC got it right covering local demonstration about Egypt

The complainant, Jon Melanson, thought the wording of a headline indicated CBC was taking the side of the Liberal party. CBC's ombudsman Esther Enkin responds that while it may have not been the most elegant headline ever written, it was not inaccurate and the story was balanced.

Continue Reading CBC ombudsman: No bias in headline about Justin Trudeau’s speaking fees

If done well, a photo caption can elevate the story, writes the Globe and Mail's public editor Sylvia Stead. A bad cutline, by contrast, will tell the reader something that they can figure out on their own.

Continue Reading Globe public editor: With just a few words, photo cutlines have enormous impact

For all the attention to who generates the greatest number of references, perhaps the most important question is not about whether the coverage is equal but whether it fairly explains each party’s platform, writes The Globe and Mail's public editor Sylvia Stead.

Continue Reading Globe public editor: Does the coverage of politicians have to be equal?

The Ontario Press Council was exercising its right and responsibility in holding the Toronto Star to account for its reporting on Mayor Rob Ford “crack” video, writes the newspaper's public editor Kathy English. 

Continue Reading Star public editor: Press council provided opportunity for greater public understanding of journalism

It is certainly not ideal to have been talking about a tape that no CBC reporter had seen, but given the high profile of the people involved, and how the story evolved, the decision to stay with the story was a correct one, writes CBC's Ombudsman Esther Enkin. 

Continue Reading CBC Ombudsman: Not ideal that CBC has not seen video but decision to cover Rob Ford alleged crack video story was correct

Journalists are fed up with canned talking points in response to questions, but are they better than nothing? Should journalists push more for phone interviews? Take the J-Source poll and tell us what you think of emailed statements. 

Continue Reading Should journalists refuse emailed statements as substitute interviews with politicians?

Continue Reading Highlights of the Ontario Press Council hearings

During his program The Source, Ezra Levant made negative comments about the Roma community, which the CBSC found the broadcast in violation of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics. 

Continue Reading “Gypsies” reference on Ezra Levant’s show violated broadcasters’ code