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
Racial Politics in the post George Floyd Era
Panelists: Desmond Cole, El Jones, Adolph Reed, Jr.
Moderator: Vershawn Young
Press freedom in Canada - What about student journalists?
Panelists: Spencer Izen, Jessica Kim
Discussant: Danielle McLaughlin
Moderator: James L. Turk
When and how should non-Indigenous reporters cover an Indigenous story?
Panelists: Willow Fiddler, Brandi Morin
Moderator: Duncan McCue
Putin's War on Journalists
Panelists: Ekaterina Kotrikadze, Alexey Kovalev, Maxim Trudolyubov, Chris Brown
Moderator: Julian Sher
Afghanistan: The War Against Journalists
Panelists: Sadaf Ahmadzai, Shakor Kamran, Makia Monir, Rachel Pulfer, Shogofa Sediqi
Moderator: Julian Sher
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