Category / Law and ethics

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Journalists off hook if ban breached

NewsJournalists who inadvertently violate a publication ban imposed on a court case have not committed a crime, Ontario’s top court says in a January 2007 ruling. Media outlets are ultimately responsible for…
Federal shield law eyed for U.S. journalists

FeatureAmerican reporters face an increasing threat of being subpoenaed to testify in federal court. Congress has tried to remedy the problem by proposing reporter’s-privilege legislation, the Free Flow of Information Act of…
Blogs make mockery of publication bans

Commentary The judge handling Robert William Pickton’s murder trial has issued rulings on what journalists can and can’t report, such as the names of undercover police officers and evidence discussed when the…
Protecting ‘responsible journalism’

CommentaryBritain’s highest court recognizes “responsible journalism” as a defence to libel. Our courts should follow suit to protect solid journalism and the public interest. By Dean Jobb.
TV station in contempt for ban breach

News A British Columbia television station has been fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to violating a court order shielding the identity of an undercover police officer. Kelowna-based CHBC Televisionshowed theofficer with her…
Youth sentencing sessions opened to media

NewsSentencing conferences convened by youth court judges are part of the public court process and open to journalists, a Nova Scotia judge ruled in January 2007. But the media can be excluded…
Too many publication bans?

FeaturePublication bans British Columbia’s courts have imposed on the high-profile murder prosecutions of Robert Pickton and Kelly Ellard have renewed the debate over suppressing information about criminal cases. Media lawyers say judges…
Reporters to testify at murder trial

NewsThree Edmonton newspaper reporters who interviewed Thomas Svekla have been ordered to testify at his trial on charges of murdering two prostitutes. In a press release, the Canadian Association of Journalists condemns the move…
Was the BBC right to broadcast interview with murder suspect?

FeatureDid the BBC risk running afoul of Britain’s contempt of court laws when it aired an interview with a suspect in the Suffolk prostitute murders? BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas reports.
Freedom of the press and Stephen Harper’s media policy

FeatureFor Canadians to make informed political decisions, the press must be free to gather and report political news. The Harper government’s restrictions on media access to politicians and news events is at…