It has been almost two years since the Supreme Court of Canada created the libel defence of responsible communication on matters of public interest — long enough for at least three courts to weigh in on what journalists must do to meet its criteria. In this column in the upcoming issue of the CAJ's Media…
An Ontario judge has tossed a libel action against three political bloggers, arguing that web-based political discussions are forums for “the parry and thrust” of vigorous debate and participants whose reputations have been attacked should fight back with words, not legal action.
Moments before Canada's Immigration Minister Jason Kenney delivered an important speech, Rabble journalist David P. Ball was kicked out of the press conference — despite having a press invite and the complimentary cookie they gave him in hand. This story originally appeared on Rabble.ca.
In an historic first this week, cameras will record closing arguments in the landmark B.C. Supreme Court case on Canada’s anti-polygamy laws. Connie Monk reports.
The Canadian Press is reporting that Ontario’s attorney general “says he’s open to the idea of allowing cameras in courtrooms and says the time is right to canvas judges, Crown attorneys and defence lawyers on their opinions.”CP’s Allison Jones says a 2008 unreleased report “recommended the attorney general amend the Courts of Justice Act to…
Feb. 28, 2011 — Under new rules that came into effect today, British Columbia’s courts will no longer block access to the court file in cases where a publication ban is in place. Previously, journalists and citizens were barred from reviewing documents filed in sexual assault and other cases, even though other provinces permit access.…
What is “responsible” journalism? Celebrating the first anniversary of an epochal Canadian libel judgment that will see this question litigated for years to come, a group of graduate students has launched a wiki to help journalists themselves define their profession’s best practices. Ryerson professors Brian MacLeod Rogers and Ivor Shapiro explain.
The Supreme Court of Canada has made it tough for lawyers, police and other investigators to “out” journalists’ sources. J-Source law editor Dean Jobb reports.
NewsThe Supreme Court of Canada has sent a strong message to judges, warning them that journalists should be ordered to identify confidential sources only in rare circumstances — especially the sources behind important public-interest stories. In an Oct. 22 ruling, the court overturned an order compelling Globe and Mail reporter Daniel Leblanc to answer questions,…
The Dutch government is moving to reinforce the right of journalists to protect sources after a major ruling by the European Community’s top human-rights court. The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled that a Dutch law allowing a prosecutor to order journalists to divulge sources was in violation of…