Category / Law and ethics

FeaturePolice have more power over reporters than most of us realize. Whatcha gonna do when they come for your notes or tapes? Jay Somerset investigates for the Ryerson Review of Journalism.

BackgrounderA Canadian court is unlikely to recognize a journalist’s right to protect the identity of a confidential source. So how should journalists deal with sources who ask for anonymity?

FeatureSearch warrant files contain a wealth of information about police investigations and allegations of wrongdoing. While warrants are often sealed in high-profile cases, media organizations are winning court battles to bring their…

This section contains information, advice and commentary on legal issues that arise when covering court cases, trials and hearings.

CommentaryA legal precedent on the disclosure of evidence means what a journalist tells the police or other investigators could wind up as Exhibit A in court. A word to the wise –…

FeatureCrown attorneys’ media rules walk the line between informing the public and preserving the right to fair trial. So what can prosecutors tell journalists – and the public – about court cases?…

CommentaryThe contempt conviction of Hamilton Spectator reporter Ken Peters for refusing to name a source shows the wisdom of devising an exit strategy before making a promise of confidentiality. By Dean Jobb.

FeatureA committee of Nova Scotia judges and journalists has decided that court officials should decide which reporters and media organizations can use cameras and tape recorders at the Law Courts building in…

FeatureMedia outlets have the right – if not always the means – to oppose motions to withhold the details of criminal cases. By Dean Jobb

NewsAn Ontario judge has struckdown laws that empowered the RCMP to raid the home of Ottawa Citizen reporter Juliet O’Neill, in a bid to expose the source of a leak about the…