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 what gets published and only their bosses can be prosecuted. But Toronto media lawyer Lorne Honickman warns that reporters broadcasting live from the courthouse…
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 2006. Alicia Armbruster of Vanderbilt University’s First Amendment Center interviewed 11 media law experts to gauge how well the proposed law would protect…
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 jury is not in the courtroom. But these routine publication bans are leading to silliness in the coverage, now that blogs allow anyone…
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.
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 face obscured, but the court order prohibited the publication or broadcast of “any likeness” of undercover officers called as witnesses. The ruling said…
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 when concerns arise about confidentiality and the administration of justice. By Dean Jobb.
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 are too quick to order bans, but defence counsel warn that publicity can undermine the right to a fair trial, The Canadian Press…
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 as a threat to journalists’ independence. Edmonton Journal editor-in-chief Allan Mayer warns it will have “a chilling effect on our ability to do…
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.
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 odds with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects political speech and freedom of the press. University of Alberta law student Graham…