Main Page
From Ad IDEM / CMLA
Welcome to the Ad IDEM / Canadian Media Lawyers Association Website
Ad IDEM stands for Advocates In Defence of Expression in Media / Avocats pour la defense de l'expression dans les medias (the capital letters in bold spelling "MEDIA" (from right to left)). We are also known by the acronym CMLA, the Canadian Media Lawyers Association.
Our members are leading media lawyers across Canada. We organize a major annual conference, intervene in important Supreme Court of Canada cases, and promote improved laws and policies for free expression and openness of courts.
AdIDEM/CMLA is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of free expression in Canada and abroad. Our aim is to achieve this objective through:
* public and professional education * advocacy and law reform initiatives * cooperation with related professional organizations
AdIDEM/CMLA members are lawyers representing the media across Canada. Associate Members, who may or may not be lawyers, have had experience in issues involving media law and free expression, and are advocates for free expression as well.[| Read more...]
New Developments
| July 25, 2017 | United Soils Management Ltd v Mohammed 2017 ONSC 4450 | |
|---|---|---|
| The ONSC dismissed a defamation suit against an Ontario teacher under s. 137.1 of the Courts of Justice Act (anti-SLAPP) finding that "the balance in this case lies to the favour of protecting the freedom of expression as opposed to permitting the action to continue".
| ||
| July 19, 2017 | Khuja v Times Newspapers Limited and others 2017 UKSC 49 | |
| The UKSC refused to grant an injunction that would have prevented the newspapers from identifying a man (Khuja) initially arrested, but subsequently released, in a long-running investigation into child prostitution in the Oxford area.
| ||
| July 7, 2017 | John v Ballingall 2017 ONCA 579 | |
| The ONCA has confirmed that an online newspaper is a "newspaper" within the meaning of the Ontario Libel and Slander Act, and subject to the same libel notice and limitation period as a print article.
| ||
| June 28, 2017 | Google Inc v Equustek Solutions Inc 2017 SCC 34 | |
| The SCC has upheld an order of the BCCA and BCSC for Google to remove the websites of a technology company from its search engine results worldwide.
| ||
| June 22, 2017 | R v Clow 2017 PESC 9 | |
| Justice Key, of the PESC, dismissed a publication ban application by the Crown in respect to getting a copy of an accused' interview with the police for publication.
| ||
| June 1, 2017 | Nova Scotia Guidelines for Media and Public Access to Courts | |
| The Courts of Nova Scotia adopted new guidelines for media and public access to the courts.
| ||
| June, 2017 | Taseko Mines Limited v Western Canada Wilderness Committee 2017 BCCA | |
| While the BC Court of Appeal has not yet ruled, its decision to webcast the appeal was a positive development. The video of the court of appeal argument can be viewed here: https://www1.webcastcanada.ca/court/
| ||
| May 25, 2017 | Brissette v Cactus Club Cabaret Ltd. 2017 BCCA 200 | |
| The BCCA held that it was appropriate on a summary trial to decide the issue of qualified privilege.
| ||
| May 16, 2017 | R v The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 2017 ABQB 329 | |
| An important decision from the ABQB, dealing with "unpublishing" after a Criminal Code ban has been imposed, under ss 486.4.
| ||
| May 2, 2017 | Teva Canada Limited v Janssen Inc et al 2017 FC 437 | |
| Teva was denied a confidentiality order, pursuant to Federal Courts Rule 151. Prothonotary Tabib cited the open court principle and admonished counsel for failure to uphold fundamental principles of justice including public interest in public and accessible court proceedings.
|
Events
2017 Conference
November 3 & 4, 2017
Toronto, Ontario
Please click for more details.
Law Commission of Ontario - Defamation Law in the Internet Age
July 26, 2017
The Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) has released four background papers for their Defamation Law in the Internet Age project.
The Ad IDEM Freedom of Expression Writing Prize 2018
July 1, 2017
Ad IDEM/CMLA is seeking submissions for the annual student Writing Prize for a paper promoting freedom of expression. The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2018 with the winner to be announced by September 2018.
Please click for more details and a link to submission guidelines.
