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.
Resources
CFE Virtual Forum Series: Can Journalism Be Saved?
Over the past two decades, we have witnessed the economic devastation of institutional journalism that creates new content through original reporting and research.
Know Your Protest Rights
Canadian Civil Liberties Association
CFE Virtual Forum Series: Platforms of Distortion – Can They Be Fixed?
Panelists: Matt Bailey, Brendan de Caires, Petra Molnar
Moderator: James L. Turk
CFE Virtual Forum Series: Can Journalism Be Saved?
Panelists: Colette Brin, Asmaa Malik, David Skok, Kelly Toughill
Moderator: Ivor Shapiro
Making it illegal will not stop the spread of misinformation
As we have seen in recent elections and in the present pandemic, misinformation can do real harm. But the Canadian government’s
By James L Turk