Dear CJFE members and supporters,

This week has been a difficult one at CJFE. Bob Carty, a member of CJFE’s Board of Directors, Canadian Issues Committee, and long-time supporter of the organization, passed away this past Sunday, September 22. We have lost an incredible friend, colleague, journalist and activist. Bob was a leading contributor to CJFE’s work. He led the fight for access to information reform, and founded our annual Review of Free Expression in Canada. He was also a founding member of IFEX, the global network of organizations dedicated to defending and promoting free expression. Few Canadians have given so much to the cause of free expression and press freedom as Bob Carty. He will be deeply missed.

A mass and celebration of Bob’s life will take place on Friday, October 3, at St. Joseph’s Parish, 151 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa. Service will begin at 2:00pm followed by a gathering with music and tributes. As we noted in our full statement, our thoughts go out to his family and many friends.

2014 CJFE Gala: A Night to Honour Courageous Reporting

• The 2014 CJFE Gala: Tickets are now available for purchase.
• Kathy Gannon to receive Tara Singh Hayer Award: CJFE is pleased to honour the AP reporter for her work in Afghanistan, where she was injured in the line of duty.
• 2014 Photo Exhibit: Anja Niedringhaus: This year’s exhibit will feature stunning photos from the late Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer Anja Niedringhaus, a colleague of Kathy Gannon’s. The photos will be available for purchase in a silent auction.

What we were working on in September:

• British Columbia failing at access to information: The B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner released a report highlighting serious issues in the state of access to information in the province.
• Stephen Harper at the United Nations General Assembly: CJFE calls on Harper to take advantage of his upcoming appearance at the UNGA to advocate for the release of imprisoned Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy.
• Out-of-control CSEC spying: CJFE and the Protect Our Privacy coalition have launched a new video showcasing how CSEC could be monitoring you, your family, and countless other people.
• Take a look at CJFE’s cross-country comparisons of federal and provincial courts with our interactive infographics:

Which Canadian courts provide access to transcripts, documents and exhibits?
Which Canadian courts permit audio-visual and electronic access?

• Canada's access to information in peril (Infographic): Important statistics highlighting the problems with Canada’s federal access to information system.
• Bahraini photojournalist Ahmed Humaidan detained: CJFE condemns the arrest and conviction of Humaidan, and calls for his release.
• Alexander Sodiqov’s safe return: After being arrested in Tajikistan on unfounded charges of espionage and treason, blogger and PhD student Alexander Sodiqov safely returns to Canada.
• Egyptian NGOs threatened: CJFE is deeply concerned about the Egyptian government’s move to force non-governmental organizations to register under a repressive 2002 law.
• Crucifixion in Saudi Arabia: A charismatic ayatollah imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for speaking out against the kingdom’s ruling family may face a grisly death sentence.
• Mazen Darwish arrested in Syria: CJFE adds its voice to the call for the release of human rights defender Mazen Darwish and his colleagues Hani Al-Zitani and Hussein Ghareer.
• Bahraini activist Maryam Al-Khawaja imprisoned: CJFE joined nearly 160 organizations demanding the release of human rights defender Maryam Al-Khawaja.

A look at what’s coming up next month:

• September 28: Right to Know Day. Canada joins approximately 40 countries and 60 non-governmental organizations to celebrate Right to Know Day.
• September 29: The 4-year anniversary of Canadian-Iranian blogger Hossein Derakhshan being sentenced to 19-and-a-half years in prison.
• October 7: The 8-year anniversary of the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
• We will be announcing our International Press Freedom Award winner, to be honoured at the 2014 Gala.