News

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee   The following news reports about Canadian defamation lawsuits appeared in the Canadian news media. The lawsuits, which affect or affected writers and publishers, originated in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. REPORTAGE May 2019

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee   In a Toronto courtroom, the sentencing of a convicted hatemonger has been postponed a second time. James Sears, the editor of Your Ward News, now faces sentencing in the Ontario Court of Justice on July 15, 2019. Mr. Sears has also fired his lawyer.

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee   The Canadian government is taking new steps to counter hate speech, misinformation and other threats on the Internet. REPORTAGE Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced the Canadian government’s intention to introduce a charter to combat hate speech, misinformation and electoral interference on the Internet.

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee   In the Superior Court of Quebec, Le Journal de Mourréal — a satirical website — has lost a trademark dispute with Le Journal de Montréal.

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

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee   In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Court of Appeal recently dismissed a civil charge of contempt against Justin Brake, a journalist. The Court of Appeal — which overturned a lower court ruling — delivered its verdict on March 28, 2019.