Category / Law and ethics

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Outdated rules block access to Ontario court records

In courthouses in countless Ontario cities, journalists are routinely denied easy access to case files and exhibits because of outdated precedents and flawed interpretations of the law. Dean Jobb makes the case…
The right to be wrong: Supreme Court reserves judgment in libel case

NewsThe Supreme Court of Canada has reserved judgment on an appeal that could create a new libel defence of “responsible journalism.” Media lawyers argued Feb. 17 that journalists who pursue important news…
Libel chill argued in SCOC

“Informed debate on matters of public interest is essential to democracy, but over-emphasis on protection of reputation in Canadian law and the resulting fear of libel action keep important information from the…
CBC online discussion draws hate complaint

NewsA group of Manitoba chiefs is urging hate charges be filed against the CBC for what it called “racist and hateful” comments about natives posted on the broadcaster’s website. But whether media…
National press council advocated

NewsThe Ontario Human Rights Commission is calling on Parliament to force all Canadian magazines, newspapers and “media services” Web sites to join a national press council with the power to adjudicate breaches…
Web 2.0 libel suits multiply

Feature The Web 2.0 movement ushered in an interactive Internet and put power in the hands of the people, tapping the so-called wisdom of the crowds to change the world — and…
Newsletter tackles poor access to Ontario court files

NewsOntario journalists are being denied their right to view and copy basic court documents under questionable provincial access policies. In response, Tracey Tyler, the Toronto Star‘s legal affairs reporter, and Toronto media…
Web access to court files expanding

FeatureThe age of Internet access to court records has dawned in Canada. British Columbia is leading the way with online access to some 200,000 court documents and more to come, and the…
Holding court on the web

FeatureAnyone with Internet access could watch live video of the Ontario Court of Appeal hearing that exonerated Steven Truscott of a 1950s murder. Despite that initiative – not to mention a decade of…
Ontario ruling limits bail ban to jury cases

NewsOntario’s highest court has narrowly upheld the sweeping ban on publishing any information presented at a bail hearing, except in youth court cases and for minor offences not heard by a jury.…