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
| June 6, 2018 | Haaretz.com v Goldhar 2018 SCC 28 | |
|---|---|---|
| The SCC held that the appeal on the issue of jurisdiction in this on-line defamation case is allowed, clarifying the test for internet defamation jurisdiction.
| ||
| June 4, 2018 | BCCA Publication Bans and Sealing Orders (Civil Practice Directive 4 June 2018 | |
| At the time a notice of appeal or notice of application for leave to appeal is filed, parties must advise the Registrar in writing of the existence and nature of any publication bans in place. And, if a party wishes to seek an order sealing material, they must immediately apply to a justice in chambers upon filing that material.
| ||
| May 30, 2018 | British Columbia Supreme Court Publications Ban Template Order | |
| The BCSC has developed a “Publication Ban Pick List”, which sets out the mandatory and discretionary statutory publication bans available in the Criminal Code and Extradition Act, and important information that should be recorded in a publication ban order under each provision. The Supreme Court has also developed a “Publication Ban Template Order” for use in conjunction with the Pick List.
| ||
| April 27, 2018 | Toronto Star v AG Ontario 2018 ONSC 2586 | |
| The ONSC has ruled that the open courts principle applies to administrative tribunals in Ontario.
| ||
| April 17, 2018 | Lisbona v Postmedia Network Inc et al 2018 QCCS | |
| The Quebec Superior Court dismisses a $500k libel suit against Postmedia as a SLAPP.
| ||
| April 9, 2018 | R v Backer 2018 BCPC 72 | |
| The BC Provincial Court granted access to a defence document filed in a criminal case alleging illegal searches and Charter breaches.
| ||
| April 6, 2018 | Aboriginal Peoples Television Network v Alberta (Attorney General) 2018 ABCA 133 | |
| The ABCA denied access to a video tape interview of an accused where only a portion was put into evidence, but makes some strong statements on the issue of openness of the courts.
| ||
| March, 2018 | Vincent Review of Victoria's Open Courts Act | |
| The Open Courts Act Review (Australia) was asked to consider whether the Act is striking the right balance between the need for open and transparent justice, and the need to protect the legitimate interests of victims, witnesses and accused persons, and to preserve the proper administration of justice.
| ||
| March 8, 2018 | Canada (Attorney General) v Canada Revenue Agency 2018 NSSC 51 | |
| In a NSSC decision, the court agreed on the need for notice to the media in the context of a Criminal Code ss.462.48 application.
| ||
| March 2, 2018 | British Columbia Courts' Amendment to Use of Electronic Devices | |
| The three Courts’ policy on the use of electronic devices in courtrooms has been amended to clarify the use that can be made of electronic devices during ceremonies and to provide direction to media on retention and destruction of audio recordings used to verify notes.
|
Events
2018 Conference
November 2 & 3, 2018
Montreal, Quebec
Please click for more details.
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.
