'Censored' is an 8 letter word
CJFE is concerned by the decision which the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) made in late 2017 to shutter an art installation at the new Pioneer Village station. Purchasing the installation cost the TTC $500,000. The project is entitled ‘Lightspell’ and was originally commissioned in 2009 and was developed as part of the Spadina subway extension by artists Tim and Jan Edler, who are based in Germany. The official reason for the TTC decision was cited as the potential for ‘hate speech’ resulting from the installation’s design. CJFE was recently informed by Jan Edler that the TTC omitted Lightspell from its January 18, 2018 Board meeting agenda.
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Authorities in Iran block mobile networks as mass protests continue for ninth consecutive day
Mass protests in Iran continue for the ninth consecutive day, despite communication blackouts across the country. The government blocked internet access on mobile networks, social media services like Facebook and Instagram, as well as messaging services like Telegram to prevent protestors from organizing.
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Canada Must Speak out on Human Rights in Iran
CJFE is gravely concerned by the escalating death toll and mass arrests reported at pro-democracy protests in Iran. The demonstrations began in the final weeks of 2017 and are rooted in outrage over questions of economic stagnation, democratic representation, wealth and power inequality, the rights of women and Iran’s foreign policy. We believe that Canada has a crucial role to play in this situation and that the government of Canada must work to promote an end to the crackdown while promoting free expression and democracy through all available diplomatic channels.
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Press freedom on trial: Supreme Court to hear VICE News case on source protection
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a landmark case for press freedom in Canada. VICE News successfully sought leave to appeal an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling that VICE News reporter Ben Makuch must hand over all communications between him and an ISIS fighter to the RCMP. By agreeing to hear the case, the Supreme Court of Canada will have the opportunity to overturn a dangerous precedent and ensure that press freedom and the integrity of journalism in Canada are protected.
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OPINION: Shepherd, the Bellwethers and the Dyed-in-the-Wool Outrage Politicizing Free Speech
Whether Lindsay Shepherd knew she was about to take a starring role in the culture war of 2017 or not, the Wilfrid Laurier graduate student and teaching assistant probably had some idea of what she was heading into. Facing a tense disciplinary meeting involving her professors and a university administrator, she showed up with a powerful set of talking points and a hidden audio recorder.
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CJFE to Honour Elena Milashena, Robyn Doolittle and Kim Bolan for Courageous Reporting
On November 30, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) will honour three extraordinary women for their courage in reporting at the 2017 CJFE Gala in Toronto. Elena Milashina of Russia will be given the International Press Freedom Award, The Globe and Mail’s Robyn Doolittle will be awarded the Arnold Amber Award for Investigative Journalism, and Kim Bolan of the Vancouver Sun will be honoured with the Tara Singh Hayer Memorial Award.
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Wynne must consider the Charter while working to end college strike
CJFE is deeply concerned by the Liberal government’s stated plan to introduce back-to-work legislation during a special weekend session of the Provincial Legislature. We encourage the government to consider the constitutional rights of workers, including impacts to the right to free association and expression that would come from the implementation of this law.
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