Freedom of the Press
The Issue
While freedom of the press is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it is in serious jeopardy. The business model that has sustained the media is failing – resulting in a significant loss of professional journalists and a serious decline in the media’s capacity to do the investigative reporting that is critical for public knowledge and government and corporate accountability. The work of the media in Canada is also imperilled by weak access-to-information laws, court publication bans, vexatious defamation claims, and the chilling effects of mass surveillance.
Why It Matters
Democracy depends on an independent, uncensored, diverse, professional media to inform the public, to ask difficult questions, and to foster transparency and accountability in those who wield power.
Our Work
The Centre for Free Expression promotes public discussion of the importance of freedom of the press, challenges facing the institutional media, and the opportunities and limitations of social media as an alternative. It works in collaboration with journalists, media organizations and public interest groups to evaluate models for the sustainability of independent, adequately financed, investigative journalism, to press for better access-to-information legislation, to limit publication bans and to strengthen protections for free expression.
Blog Post: Local News: Connective Tissue That Holds A Community Together
As local newspapers across Canada are being downsized or shut down and the discussion increasingly turns to addressing the growing problem of fake news (indeed, the U.S.
News: An Open Letter to Justin Trudeau on Press Freedom
Global coalition of non-governmental organizations supporting press freedom sent the following letter to Prime Minister Trudeau calling for passage of Bill S-231 which would provide legal protection for journalist-source privilege
Podcast: All Governments Lie: Film & Discussion
Award-winning Canadian filmmaker, Peter Raymont, the film’s producer, will discuss the making of the documentary and the issues it raises.
Podcast: Journalists, Free Expression & Mexico's War on Drugs
An inside look at what’s happening to journalists and free expression in Mexico, which, since 2006, has become one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.
Blog Post: Journalism Ethics 101 in China
Teaching a news “ethics” course in the fledgling journalism program at Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, proved to be a challenge, given the restraints on freedom of expression now occurring un