Centre Seeks to Intervene in Important Freedom of the Press Case

The Centre for Free Expression is joining a coalition of organizations seeking to intervene in the appeal of a court decision requiring VICE Canada national security reporter Ben Makuch to turn over communications with a member of ISIS.

If the court order is upheld, it will have a chilling effect on the practice of journalism in Canada – violating the compact that allows investigative reporters to do their jobs. It will make important sources of information much less willing to talk with the press, thereby preventing the public from learning more about key issues.

Other members of the coalition of intervenors are Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Ad IDEM/Canadian Media Lawyers Association, Canadian Association of Journalists, Canadian Media Guild/Communications Workers of America (Canada), Reporters Without Borders/Reporters Sans Frontiers, and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.