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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
| April 17, 2018 | Lisbona v Postmedia Network Inc et al 2018 QCCS | |
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| The Quebec Superior Court dismisses a $500k libel suit against Postmedia as a SLAPP.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| February 27, 2018 | Horne v Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre 2018 NSCA 20 | |
| The NSCA took issue with the trial judge's failure in his jury instructions to fully differentiate between a contract claim, which was denied, and a loss of reputation claim and reduced a damages award.
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| February 13, 2018 | Weaver v Ball 2018 BCSC 205 | |
| The BCSC dismissed a defamation claim brought by Green Party leader Andrew Weaver against Dr. Timothy Ball, a climate change skeptic.
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| February 9, 2018 | R v Canadian Broadcasting Corp 2018 SCC 5 | |
| The SCC overturned a mandatory injunction ordered by the Alberta C of A, which would have forced the CBC to “unpublish” a murder victim’s name, even though the articles in question were published prior to any publication ban.
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| January 23, 2018 | R v Stanley 2018 SKQB 27 | |
| Before selection of the jury, the judge dismissed the application of PostMedia, APTN, CTV, CBC and Global for permission to broadcast and live stream limited portions of the trial of Gerald Stanley using 3 fixed television cameras, and imposed a publication ban of the application and his decision until the jury retired to consider its verdict.
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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.
