BPC Bulletin: Kevin J. Johnston Fined $2.5 Million
News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee
In Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice, a judge has fined a videographer $2.5 million for making hateful, defamatory remarks about a Lebanese-Canadian restaurateur.
On May 13, 2019, Justice Jane Ferguson ordered Kevin J. Johnston to pay the sum to Mohamad Fakih, the owner and founder of Paramount Fine Foods.
REPORTAGE
Michelle McQuigge of the Canadian Press reports:
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/judge-awards-businessman-2-5-million-for-suffering-hate-speech-at-its-worst
Meredith Bond of Toronto’s CityNews reports:
Shanifa Nasser of CBC News reports:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/kevin-johnston-paramount-2-5-million-mohamad-fakih-1.5134227
CTV News reports:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl9TIlnwKcg
Mack Lamoureux of Vice reports:
https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/597ddk/youtube-pulls-canadian-anti-islam-vlogger-kevin-j-johnston-following-record-defamation-lawsuit-loss
COMMENTARY
At Mississauga.com, Mohamad Fakih comments:
https://www.mississauga.com/opinion-story/9355095-we-can-fight-back-against-those-who-hate/
In the Journal Pioneer, Russell Wangersky comments:
https://www.journalpioneer.com/opinion/columnists/russell-wangersky-youd-better-be-able-to-prove-that-311499/
The Book and Periodical Council was formed in 1975 as the Book and Periodical Development Council to provide a venue for members to discuss industry issues, address mutual concerns and undertake projects for the benefit of Canadian writing and publishing.